Prioritize SLA clarity (order lead times, picking accuracy), inventory visibility (real-time WMS access), dock capacity and turnaround, multimodal carrier integrations, and proof of scalability for peak seasons. Evaluate KPIs like OTIF, pick accuracy, and average dock-to-door transit as selection filters.

Proximity to deepwater ports and primary highways reduces intermodal handoffs and sea-leg time for cross-border shipments, while warehouses closer to urban centers shorten last-mile transit. Location choices in Sabah should balance proximity to production sites, port access, and urban demand clusters to optimize total lead time.

Confirm ocean carrier connections, scheduled feeder services, regional airfreight options, and reliable last-mile partners. Verify the 3PL's EDI/API integrations with carriers, availability of cross-dock services, and contingency routings to manage capacity constraints and seasonal peaks.

Negotiate volume-tiered pricing, performance-based SLAs with service credits, minimum storage thresholds, shared inventory reporting, and fuel/peak-season surcharges caps. Include rights to audit, defined reorder lead times, and short notice scalability clauses to align costs with demand variability.