"Total payments to the contractor are"

at least...

"...$600 in the year."

Fixed it.

And the W9 reflects that this entity is subject to 1099-NEC reporting...

And your client did not pay the person through a Payment Settlement Agent? If so, the PSE sends out a 1099-K and your client doesn't send anything. Your client sends that form when your client is the one who paid by Cash or Check.