Pros
ORAU provides their contractors with general support in terms of time-keeping, benefits, and contracting questions. But other than that, they are pretty hands-off. The mentor working with the program provides the day-to-day guidance, tasks, and resources to the contractor. You usually work in teams, so you spend most of your time with them, and little time with ORAU. This is how it should be and from what I can tell how it is usually run so you can get first-hand experience with your area of study/interest on a real-world project. This isn't some internship - this is a full time job and you will be assigned tasks. My team is amazing - they work hard and are understanding and easy-going. We all work well together on something that really matters and will eventually be used by the public. It is pretty fulfilling. Not quite what I want to do for the rest of my life, but it gives me the space to build new skills and refine current skills that will prepare me very well for my next job. This is where to program does excellently - prepping its contractors for the next job with real-world job experience, growth in skills and working on a project with a team.
Cons
There is no room for financial growth. The pay is good and very reasonable. But this contract does not have room to ask for a raise or get a promotion since it is a student contract. One time each year the pay increases to account for inflation, and this increase applies to everyone. The contract is meant to get you in the door and provide an entry-level first job experience so that you can be even more successful in the next job to come. You must also comply to their now hybrid schedule rules, which don't always align with your mentor's schedule. This was more clear before the pandemic, however, and the hybrid may change over time.