Strange API delays on Forge/DO, but not local

Hello, I'm experiencing a strange delay when interacting with an API. The API is for the QuickBase service, but I don't think that matters (I'll explain below). Some background:

Each API call has 3 parts: Authenticate, AddRecord, Search

I set up a test API call with microtimes to show the difference between my local environment and my production environment.

Local results:

Authenticate took 0.27273488044739
AddRecord took 0.1639552116394
Search took 0.11473488807678

Awesome. But then Production:

Authenticate took 0.164381980896
AddRecord took 30.130784034729
Search took 0.10592603683472

My local environment is my Mac running Valet. Production environment is Forge/Digital Ocean Ubuntu box with a very standard setup. Both running same version of PHP. Same code (obviously). I've run this test several times now. The AddRecord call always takes just over 30 seconds. Such a round number makes me think this must be some Nginx setting, or something like that?

Talked to a great tech rep at QuickBase. We were conducting these tests in realtime while he was on the phone with me. He said the AddRecord call is being accepted, processed and returned in under a second on his end.

I'm stumped. Does anyone have any ideas on why this is happening, or perhaps how I might go about troubleshooting this further?

I will happily buy someone coffee or beer. I'm at a loss. Please help.

Thank you!