I think the contract will still be used. Read a little of what is happening on the forum.Well, typical... just when we are on the verge of unlocking the skill respec contact on the starbase.
http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums/startrekonline#/discussion/1212020/skill-system-revamp
Let's see if that contact becomes redundant just like the crafting station. We will not slot the unlock project until the new system is live.
I knew the skills revamp had been coming for a while, as it's been talked about on forum and some podcasts. Will be interesting to see when it's live.