Pros
Benefits and Compensation. The cost of a contract employee is nearly 2X the cost of a Federal Employee but the contract employee is a second class....temporary.....employee. However; the compensation must be equivalent for the employment classification and the contract agent receives constant monthly revenue, about 187% of the combined monthly salary and benefit package, for adding no value.
Cons
Working for Bonniville Power as a Contractor is a Forest Gump box of chocolates. The contractor system by the US Government is a system that is rife with abuse and excessive tax payer cost. The reason that it exists is because the USG has a rule to hire from the government rolls e.g. veterans of government service first; however, that hiring is considered 'permanent' whereas hiring contractors is temporary but renewable; therefore, it is easy to 'fire' a contractor and nearly impossible to get rid of a government employee resulting in lots of contract position in particular departments where specialized technical skills are required. In these situations; the contractor is; by government definition, the 'worker' and the any government employee is the 'manager' and senior employee regardless of the fact that they have zero competence in the specialty for which the contractor was hired. This results in a very negative dynamic for the contractor by institutionalizing a kind of caste system where incompetence rules and pettiness is enabled and encouraged. Beware of this environment it can be very toxic; particularly, if one has significant skills. Ask lots of questions, learn about human resources, and always be seeking another better position. BPA is a good organization to pad your resume but understand; it will literally require an act of Congress to make your contract position permanent.....and, then beware of what you wish.