Prioritize transit time to your customer base, carrier and intermodal access, and WMS/OMS integration for real-time inventory visibility. Also evaluate SLA granularity, reverse-logistics capability, peak-season scalability, and compliance handling for regulated goods. Consider proof-of-performance metrics and onboarding timelines to verify capacity and service consistency.

Land availability and facility energy costs influence fixed storage and operating expenses, while local labor rates drive picking/handling fees. For high volumes, negotiate density-based storage, throughput-tiered handling rates, and fuel/peak surcharges. Ask for unit-cost models by SKU velocity and service windows to compare landed-cost scenarios across providers.

Confirm proximity to major ports, rail ramps, and national highway corridors, plus direct access to parcel and LTL hubs. Verify existing carrier contracts, typical transit lanes, dray availability, and transload options. Also check SLA performance on regional routes and seasonal capacity resilience to avoid service degradation.

Key technologies include a modern WMS with API/EDI connectivity, real-time inventory feeds to your OMS, carrier-rate shopping, and returns management. Look for evidence of automation where volume justifies it and standard integration toolkits for rapid onboarding. Ensure reporting, SLA dashboards, and EDI/API testing plans are part of the contract.