What to do if your contract doesn't get renewed

by Dale Davidson March 18, 2026

A friend of mine was supporting a contract as a W2 and learned that the government wasn't going to renew the option year, meaning he'd be out of a job within a few months.

This can be a scary situation, but also an opportunity to potentially go 1099.

Here's what I'd do in this case:

Find out if the work is shifting to another prime contractor
If so, reach out to the PM for that prime. Or even better, get the government client to refer you.
Introduce myself and say I'm looking to continue support the work as a 1099
If they agree, great! If not, continue tapping my network to find another gig

It's worth taking a shot while there is a bit of chaos in the air. The new prime may be looking for an easy win by hiring someone right away with direct experience on the project. Their desire for a new win can translate into you getting your first gig.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.