Evaluate carrier connectivity and transit times, WMS and API capabilities, inventory accuracy, returns handling, and peak labor scalability. Also review facility specs (racking, temperature control), cross-dock throughput, and KPIs like order cycle time, perfect order rate, and cost-per-line to align 3PL performance with service-level goals.

Calculate landed cost by SKU including inbound freight, storage, handling, and outbound shipping; model split by zone density and order profile. Use demand forecasting to size footprint, evaluate multi-site vs single-site tradeoffs, and compare 3PL pricing on storage tiers, pick rates, and value-added service fees to determine total cost-to-serve.

Confirm local carrier reach, parcel and courier SLAs, and service coverage for residential and rural deliveries. Require tracking integrations, proof-of-delivery, and consolidated invoicing. Assess delivery density (to optimize carrier selection), returns pickup options, and contingency routing to maintain consistent customer experience.

Require real-time inventory visibility via a modern WMS, API/EDI integrations with order systems, scalable labor plans, and clear SLAs for pick accuracy, order lead time, and dock window adherence. Include penalty/bonus clauses tied to performance metrics and require disaster recovery and surge capacity plans for peak-season reliability.