[pc86]

3x seems reasonable.

I've subcontracted out to folks, and even at a 2x markup, with the coordination, review, and other unbillable activities I made almost no profit. As a percentage, it was barely worth even having the initial leverage and I rarely did it (at 2x markup) unless it was strictly to meet a deadline. In large orgs where profit is a requirement for just about every interaction I can see how 3x or 4x would be necessary to justify doing the work in the first place.