That's the problem with a platform-as-a-middleman-service that uses a commission business model: they have to aggressively, and I mean <i>aggressively</i>, take measures to ensure neither the providers nor the recipients of the service cut them out of the loop.
Besides Toptal (which focuses on the 'elite programming' aspect to the detriment of all else), is there a vetted platform for businesses to look for consulting agencies to do projects for them (anything 10K and up), and for independent consultants/consulting agencies to look for work? There are state run vendor boards like <a href="https://eva.virginia.gov;" rel="nofollow">https://eva.virginia.gov;</a> but I haven't seen anything comparable in the private sector.