How long does a non-compete contract last between a contractor company and a client company?

I work for a company outsourced to another company, so a contractor. Well they didn't resign with us so our contract expired on 6/30. We have a critical care team staying on till Sept 1st. I would like to apply to this company but they agreed to a non-compete contract but no one will tell us how long the agreement is for or when we can start to apply to the company. If our contract was officially up on 6/30 would I be able to apply now with no repercussions? It is legal for my not to let us know anything that is going on?
Both companies are large but my company is not trying to place us anywhere us and we will be unemployed come Sept 1st. I was told by the client company that my company needs to send a release form but I'm not sure if they have because they will not tell us anything. I know the hiring and interviewing process with the client company takes about 1-2 months so would like to be able to start the process now but I cannot get any answers from my company on when they will release us. Would you think since the official contract was up on 6/30 that non-compete would be ended?