RE: Why such a delay?
Muzzy,
That why management needs to be working with these people getting them the things they need ahead of time and communicating with the developers when they want the changes made. Then if they aren't made during the pre-determined time slot, you fire them and hire another group or someone to do it in-house. But you just don't just set back and let in happen. At least the companies that are properly managed don't.