Let me school you from someone who works for a DoD ISO office (ie: me)
You're an idiot. The very shit you highlighted was exactly what I said. You are reading too far into it.
"Clearances are only provided to people who are required to have them in order to perform government work of some kind"
A work contract has nothing to do with clearance ---> Literally. You get the clearance TO get the contract. Not vice versa. While you need a legitimate reason to request an investigation, there isn't any actual paperwork or contract work required.
Nor is it related in any way to the contractor ---> As they don't issue, provide for, or investigate the clerance.