non compete for independent contractor

i am an independent contractor, speech therapist. i have a non-compete clause stating that i will not get a government contract to work in the county that i live. i would like to go out on my own and get this government contract. all potential clients go through this government service, so there is no way to not use this government contract. i could go work for someone else, probably being forced to sign another non compete in the same language. i was wondering if being an independent contractor had any bearing on the enforceability of this non-compete clause. also, if i were to violate this clause and get sued, what would i be getting sued for?