However, my supe and her manager will are loathe to ask for development help because then the project won't be 'theirs'.

Can you hear the alarm bells ringing? Run, do not walk, run very fast away from this. You are being a pawn in a much higher level political power game. I am sure your direct management is looking for a quick and dirty (and no cost) solution to a IT problem, and when you have implemented it (at no additional cost to your unit), your management will then use this as ammunition to shoot at the development group(s), and thusly get more glory, power and budget to their empire.

Start looking around for another job. Maybe the development teams need a keen developer. I would suggest it would be much better to find another employer that does not play such stupid and childish games. And I haven't even started on issues like lack of a proper spec, expecting you to take on more and more responsibilities for no additional pay, and the rest of the sorry tale.