Prioritize facility footprint (bulk vs. pick-and-pack), IT integrations (WMS + OMS connectivity), SLA commitments, security and inventory controls, carrier relationships, and scalability of labor and racking. Verify cross-dock, returns processing, and customs/bonded capabilities relevant to your SKU mix and order profile.

Review historical carrier lanes, daily truck frequency, average transit times to major destinations, and available modal options. Ask for lane-level cost-to-serve analyses, accessorial policies, dock appointment flexibility, and the 3PL's established relationships with regional carriers.

Model fixed estate costs (storage, minimums), variable handling (picks, packing, putaway), inbound/outbound transport assumptions, inventory carrying cost, IT and integration fees, and exception charges (returns, special packaging). Include scenario sensitivity for peak seasons and volume scaling.

Expect real-time inventory visibility, tiered storage options, quick labor scaling, multi-channel order routing, returns and reverse-logistics handling, SLA guarantees, and APIs or EDI for platform integrations to maintain consistent customer experience as volumes fluctuate.