Implementation Project Manager 1099 Agreement: Deliverables and Rates (Service Provider Guide)

As a freelance implementation project manager, your value is often clarity: clear scope, clear milestones, clear communication, and clear ownership. Your contract should mirror that same discipline. A well-structured Implementation Project Manager 1099 Agreement protects your time, your fees, and your reputation—especially when clients expect you to “make it happen” across stakeholders you don’t control.

This guide walks through the most important parts of a project manager independent contractor agreement from the service provider perspective, with an emphasis on two areas that commonly create disputes: deliverables and rates. You’ll also find practical language ideas and negotiation tips you can use when drafting or reviewing a freelance project manager contract or pm contractor agreement.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your situation, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.

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Why a 1099 Implementation PM Agreement is different

“1099” typically refers to a U.S. tax classification where the client treats you as an independent contractor, not an employee. For implementation PMs, the risks and complexity are higher than many other contractor roles because:

• You may coordinate multiple teams (client, vendor, internal engineering, support).
• Timelines are often dependent on client decisions and deliverables.
• You may be asked to “own outcomes” without the authority to control resources.
• Success is sometimes defined informally (“go live smoothly”), which can expand scope.

A strong project manager contract template 1099 should help you:

• Define what you will do (and what you won’t).
• Set measurable deliverables and acceptance criteria.
• Establish how you get paid (hourly, fixed fee, milestone, retainer).
• Clarify change control and out-of-scope work.
• Protect your independence (to support proper contractor classification).

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Core sections of an Implementation Project Manager 1099 Agreement (high-impact clauses)

Most project manager independent contractor agreement documents include standard provisions (term, confidentiality, IP, dispute resolution). But if you’re an implementation PM, these sections are especially critical:

1. Scope of Services (SOW)
2. Deliverables, milestones, and acceptance
3. Rates, billing, and payment terms
4. Assumptions, client responsibilities, and dependencies
5. Change management (scope changes)
6. Communication cadence and governance
7. Termination and offboarding
8. Limitation of liability and “no guarantees” language (where appropriate)

This post focuses deeply on deliverables and rates—because those are where PM engagements most commonly drift.

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Deliverables: how to define them so you don’t get trapped by “do everything” expectations

1) Separate activities from deliverables

Implementation PM work includes both:

• Activities: meetings, planning, stakeholder management, escalation, reporting.
• Deliverables: artifacts and outcomes you produce (plans, schedules, RAID logs, launch readiness reports).

If your contract only describes activities (“PM support”), clients may later argue you didn’t deliver “the implementation.” Conversely, if it only describes outcomes (“successful go-live”), you might be held responsible for things outside your control.

Best practice: list the deliverables you will provide and explicitly state that you manage the process—not the client’s internal performance or third-party execution.

2) Make deliverables measurable (and tied to acceptance)

A deliverable is contract-ready when it answers:

• What is it?
• When is it due?
• What does “accepted” mean?
• What happens if the client doesn’t review it?

Consider adding an acceptance-by-default mechanism: if the client doesn’t respond within X business days, the deliverable is considered accepted.

Example acceptance language (conceptual):

• “Client will review deliverables within five (5) business days. If Client does not provide written rejection with specific deficiencies within that period, the deliverable will be deemed accepted.”

3) Use a standard implementation PM deliverables menu

Below is a practical deliverables list you can adapt to your freelance project manager contract. Not every engagement needs all of these—choose based on complexity and pricing model.

Common deliverables for implementation PM consultants

• Project Charter / Initiation Brief
  Scope summary, objectives, stakeholders, governance, constraints.
• Integrated Project Plan & Timeline
  Workplan with phases, tasks, dependencies, critical path assumptions.
• RAID Log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies)
  Updated on an agreed cadence; escalations documented.
• Status Reporting Package
  Weekly status report template + weekly distribution; includes progress, blockers, decisions needed.
• Meeting Cadence & Notes
  Agenda templates, action items, decision log, meeting summaries.
• Go-Live Readiness Checklist
  Entry/exit criteria for cutover; rollback plan ownership defined.
• Cutover / Launch Plan
  Sequence of go-live tasks, owners, timing, communication plan.
• Hypercare Plan
  Post-launch support window, triage workflow, metrics, escalation paths.
• Project Closeout Summary
  Lessons learned, final status, outstanding items, recommendations.

4) Avoid outcome guarantees unless you control the inputs

Clients sometimes want deliverables like:

• “Successful implementation”
• “On-time go-live”
• “User adoption achieved”

Those are business outcomes influenced by user training, product readiness, engineering velocity, and executive decisions. You can support these goals, but you should be cautious about contract language that turns them into guaranteed deliverables.

A solid pm contractor agreement often includes language making clear:

• You will provide project management services and artifacts.
• Client is responsible for internal resourcing, approvals, and decisions.
• Timelines depend on client inputs and third-party dependencies.

5) Clarify client responsibilities (dependencies are not your “miss”)

From a service provider perspective, this clause is one of the most protective items in your contract.

Include a section such as Client Responsibilities:

• Provide SMEs and decision-makers with authority.
• Attend required workshops/meetings.
• Deliver data, access, and technical prerequisites by agreed dates.
• Review/approve deliverables in a timely manner.
• Maintain internal change management and end-user communications (unless you’re contracted to do so).

When client responsibilities are explicit, you can pause or rebaseline the plan when they aren’t met—without being blamed for “slipping.”

6) Add change control for deliverables creep

Implementation PM scope creep is often subtle:

• “Can you also run training?”
• “Can you write the SOPs?”
• “Can you manage the vendor, too?”
• “Can you document the requirements?”

You can do these, but they should be treated as change requests with updated rates, milestones, or a revised SOW.

A good change control section typically includes:

• Written change request required.
• Impact analysis (time/cost) provided by you.
• Change effective only upon mutual written approval.

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Rates: how to price implementation PM work (and contract it properly)

Rates are not just numbers—they are the mechanism your contract uses to allocate risk. The right rate structure should reflect uncertainty, dependencies, and how much control you have over the timeline.

Common pricing models for freelance implementation PMs

1) Hourly rate (time & materials)

Best when: scope is evolving; client needs flexible support; dependencies are uncertain.

Contract considerations:

• Define hourly rate and billing increment (e.g., 0.25 hour).
• Clarify what counts as billable (meetings, emails, documentation).
• Set a weekly/monthly not-to-exceed cap if needed (and how increases are approved).
• Include invoice frequency and payment terms.

Watch-outs: Clients may micromanage time. Protect yourself with clear reporting and a minimum commitment (e.g., 10 hours/week).

2) Fixed fee (deliverable-based)

Best when: deliverables are clear; you can control the work and schedule; client is organized.

Contract considerations:

• Tie payments to milestones (e.g., kickoff complete, plan delivered, go-live, closeout).
• Define acceptance criteria.
• Specify what is out of scope.
• Include a rebaseline clause when client delays approvals or prerequisites.

Watch-outs: Fixed fee without strong client responsibility language can turn into unpaid overtime.

3) Retainer (monthly block of hours or availability)

Best when: client needs ongoing leadership; work fluctuates; you provide “PM as a service.”

Contract considerations:

• State retainer amount, what it includes (e.g., up to 20 hours/month).
• Clarify whether unused hours roll over (often they do not).
• Define overage rate and approval method.
• Include availability expectations (response time, meeting windows).

Watch-outs: Retainers can become “always on.” Set boundaries for after-hours and weekends.

4) Hybrid: fixed fee + hourly overages

Best when: you can define core deliverables but want protection for unknowns.

Contract considerations:

• Fixed fee covers baseline SOW deliverables.
• Hourly rate applies to change requests, delays, extra meetings, additional workstreams.

This hybrid approach is common in mature freelance project manager contract structures because it balances predictability with fairness.

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Rate clause essentials (the language that prevents payment headaches)

Regardless of the pricing model, include these contract elements:

1) Payment terms and late fees

Define:

• Net 7/14/30 terms.
• Late fees or interest (where lawful).
• Right to pause work for nonpayment.

2) Invoicing details

State:

• Invoice frequency (weekly/monthly/milestone-based).
• Required invoice contents (dates, description, hours, deliverables).
• Where/how invoices are submitted (email, portal).
• Whether purchase orders are required (and that delay in PO is not your responsibility).

3) Expenses and reimbursables

Implementation PM work sometimes includes travel, on-site workshops, or software tools.

Clarify:

• What expenses are included vs reimbursable.
• Pre-approval requirements.
• Reimbursement timing and documentation.

4) Rate increases for extended timelines

If the project extends due to client delays, your effective rate can drop (especially fixed-fee). Consider:

• A clause allowing rate review after X months.
• A rebaseline mechanism when launch date moves materially.

5) Minimum engagement commitment (optional but useful)

If you block time on your calendar, consider minimums like:

• Minimum weekly hours billed.
• Minimum contract term (e.g., 30 days) with notice period.

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Example deliverables + rates structure (you can adapt)

Below is a sample structure you might incorporate into a project manager contract template 1099 as an SOW exhibit.

Deliverables (sample)

1. Initiation & Planning (Weeks 1–2)

   • Project charter
   • Integrated project plan and milestone schedule
   • Initial RAID log
     Acceptance: documents delivered in editable format; reviewed in planning meeting.

2. Execution Management (Weeks 3–Go-Live)

   • Weekly status reports
   • RAID log updates (weekly)
   • Stakeholder meeting agendas and action logs
     Acceptance: delivered on agreed cadence; documented distribution to stakeholders.

3. Go-Live & Hypercare (Go-Live + 2 weeks)

   • Cutover plan and go-live checklist
   • Hypercare triage workflow and escalation matrix
     Acceptance: walkthrough meeting completed; final documents delivered.

4. Closeout

   • Closeout summary + lessons learned session
     Acceptance: session held; summary delivered.

Rates (sample structures)

• Option A (Hourly): $___/hour, billed in 0.25-hour increments; invoices monthly; Net 14.
• Option B (Fixed + hourly): $____ fixed for items (1) and (4); $_/hour for execution management and change requests; not-to-exceed $__/month unless approved.

(You’d tailor these to your project, client maturity, and risk tolerance.)

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Independent contractor protection: maintain 1099 alignment in your agreement

Beyond money and deliverables, your project manager independent contractor agreement should reinforce that you are an independent business. Common clauses include:

• You control the manner and means of performing the services.
• You can provide services to other clients (non-exclusivity).
• You provide your own equipment/tools (where applicable).
• No employee benefits.
• Taxes handled by you (client does not withhold).
• You are responsible for your own insurance (if required/appropriate).

Clients may have policies that impose controls (time tracking, security training, working hours). You can comply, but try to ensure the contract doesn’t inadvertently read like employment.

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Negotiation tips for freelance implementation PMs (service provider perspective)

• Anchor deliverables to artifacts, not outcomes. You can influence outcomes, but don’t guarantee what you can’t control.
• Build “client dependencies” into the timeline. If approvals/data are late, your dates move and/or fees adjust.
• Use change control early and often. It’s easier to enforce change control when it’s normal, not confrontational.
• Don’t undersell meeting load. Implementation PM work is meeting-heavy. Your rate must reflect that.
• Protect focus time. Define core hours, response times, and escalation rules to prevent 24/7 expectations.

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Frequently asked questions (and next questions to keep learning)

What should be included in a freelance implementation PM deliverables list?

A charter, project plan, RAID log, status reports, governance cadence, go-live readiness checklist, cutover plan, hypercare plan, and closeout summary are common. Choose based on project size and what the client truly needs.

Should I charge hourly or fixed fee as a freelance project manager?

Hourly is safer when scope and dependencies are uncertain. Fixed fee can work when deliverables and acceptance are clear and client responsibilities are enforceable. Many consultants use a hybrid.

How do I prevent scope creep in a PM contractor agreement?

Use a detailed SOW, a clear out-of-scope list, and a written change control process with pricing for additional work.

What payment terms are reasonable for 1099 implementation PM work?

Net 14 or Net 30 are common. If you’re in demand or the project is intense, Net 7 can be reasonable. Consider late fees and a right to pause work for nonpayment.

Do I need acceptance criteria for PM deliverables like status reports?

Yes—acceptance can be cadence-based (“delivered weekly”) rather than subjective quality-based. Include a deemed acceptance provision when clients don’t review.

How do I handle client-caused delays?

Include a rebaseline clause: timelines shift when client inputs are late, and fees may adjust if the project extends beyond a defined window.

What other questions should I ask before signing a 1099 project manager agreement?

• Who is the executive sponsor and who has final decision authority?
• What are the client’s internal resource commitments (names, hours/week)?
• What tools are required (Jira, Asana, Smartsheet), and who pays?
• What is the go-live definition and who owns technical readiness?
• Are there security, background check, or on-site requirements?
• What is the termination notice period and what gets paid upon termination?
• Is there a non-solicit or non-compete clause (and is it reasonable)?
• Who owns the deliverables and templates you bring to the project?

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Build a contract that matches how implementation PM work actually happens

A well-written freelance project manager contract isn’t just a formality—it’s a scope management tool. When your deliverables are specific, your rates are tied to risk, and your change process is enforceable, you can focus on what you do best: leading complex implementations to a confident launch.

If you want a faster way to draft or customize a project manager contract template 1099, a pm contractor agreement, or a full project manager independent contractor agreement with deliverables, acceptance language, and rate options, you can generate one using Contractable, an AI-powered contract generator, at https://www.contractable.ai.