The problem was related to the well documented issue regarding the randomizer CF10 uses. We had a large number or cfhttp calls, and each one requires calling /dev/urandom to generate a random number. The default randomizer requires about 5 seconds of CPU time to gather enough entropy to create a truly unique random number. Unfortunately this delay compounds upon itself as you get more and more calls. If you have 100 concurrent cfhttp calls, requests would take 500 seconds.
The fix is editing the jvm.config to: -Djava.security.egd=file:/dev/./urandom”.
The default /dev/urandom is overridden / mapped to /dev/random, which causes the delay. Editing the jvm.config exactly as above will supersede the mapping.
For more info on the subject: