Prioritize measurable operational criteria:

• WMS/TMS integration and real-time inventory visibility
• Standard SLAs for picking, packing, and dispatch
• Proximity to key carriers and major road corridors
• Scalable labor and peak-season handling
• Value-added services like kitting and returns processing

Look for bonded space, high-bay racking, cross-dock capacity, heavy-duty dock doors, and calibrated HVAC for sensitive goods. Reliable yard management, forklift fleet, and preventive maintenance programs reduce detention and handling delays.

Carrier density shortens pickup windows and lowers linehaul rates through competition; proximity to arterial roads reduces in-transit miles and fuel surcharges. Faster transit increases delivery predictability, which reduces buffer stock and lowers inventory carrying cost.

Negotiate clear SLA metrics (OTD, pick accuracy, inventory accuracy), chargebacks and exceptions handling, rate tables for volume tiers, liability and insurance limits, and defined peak-season capacity. Include quarterly performance reviews and data access provisions for audit and continuous improvement.