Require on-time ship rate, order accuracy, dock-to-delivery lead time, inventory accuracy, and cost-per-order (including pick/pack, storage, and outbound freight). Monitor shrinkage, returns processing time, and peak-season throughput to ensure the provider can scale without degrading SLA performance.

Closer access to Ports of Long Beach/LA and major freeways reduces drayage and line-haul time, improving inventory velocity and lowering inbound landed cost. Shorter transit windows also enable more frequent replenishment and smaller safety stocks, benefiting eCommerce and just-in-time B2B flows.

Prioritize facilities with adequate ceiling height for racking density, sufficient dock doors for peak throughput, segregated returns and QA areas, integrated WMS/TMS connectivity, and office space for value-added services such as kitting, labeling, and light assembly.

Key drivers include rent per pallet position or square foot, labor rates and overtime exposure, pick/pack pricing and minimums, inbound receiving and putaway fees, technology integration costs, and parcel/LTL contract rates. Ask for modeled monthly costs at projected volumes.

Assess the 3PL's carrier mix, negotiated parcel and LTL rates, transit time maps to customer zip codes, and on-time delivery metrics. Confirm regional carrier density for next-day/2-day coverage and real-time tracking integration to meet customer expectations.