Evaluate carrier connectivity (parcel, LTL, intermodal), proximity to your customer density, WMS/API integration capabilities, cross-dock and same-day dispatch options, and local labor productivity. Request transit-time matrices and zone-based cost-to-serve analyses to compare real transit times and landed costs across candidate providers.

Labor and real estate set the baseline for handling rates and occupancy charges. Lower local wage rates and available industrial land can reduce fixed costs, but confirm workforce reliability, temp labor access, and hiring/training programs. Review surge staffing plans and variable labor charge mechanisms to ensure scalable service and predictable peak pricing.

Define KPIs for order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, inventory accuracy, average pick lead time, and return processing SLA. Include reporting cadence, penalty/credit terms for missed SLAs, audit rights, and an onboarding acceptance test for inventory counts and system integrations to validate performance before full-scale operations.