If they had any real world experience they wouldn't be surprised
Contracting with the government is a horrendous hurdle for an SME to overcome, as these MPs would know if they had any experience outside of an Oxford PPE and politics - factors like long delays, a slew of obscure mandatory requirements, complex and not particularly proficient procurement organisations, and flip-flopping on priorities or funding. The big boys are used to all this and have the financial muscle to ride it out; not so much the average SME.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
