They had over 300 workers already.

Quick Reaction Contractors are often 'no bid.'
A small team will move quickly.

Or PR restoration can be put out to competitive bidding.

They may have bids in a month or two with full cost backup.
Then they can spend a few more weeks reviewing them.
And then a few more weeks negotiating terms.

While PR sits in the dark.

Cost, schedule, function.
Pick any two.

You cannot get all three.

Schedule and function would appear to be the important factors here.

I left out a few weeks for the government to even prepare the 'Request for Quotation' to publish requesting proposal or bids.
Just what work is to be performed?
How many miles of lines?
Of what capacity?