Am I missing the point with respect to this speculation about...

Am I missing the point with respect to this speculation about the Tas contract?

Uncle Elmer has previously said that the successful contractor for meter reading and installation services for Tas has been announced (UXC). So that leaves supply of meters and comms devices. But do INT actually make water meters and/or comms devices? For a deal this big wouldn't the customer be more likely to deal directly with the source that actually make water meters and associated comms gear (like Elster, Actaris etc) rather than a middle man like INT who would obviously have to add their margin?