Evaluate transit time to core customers, proximity to major highways and regional railheads, dock and trailer capacity, racking and ceiling clearances, labor availability and shift flexibility, and the 3PL’s WMS/API capabilities. Also confirm peak throughput history, SLA adherence, and return processing capability to ensure operational alignment with demand patterns.

Relative proximity to southern Nevada and parts of California often shortens last‑mile transit times for western customers and can lower zone‑based parcel costs. Carrier density and established LTL lanes affect pricing and schedule reliability—validate carrier contracts, average transit days to your customer base, and how parcel zones map to your cost targets.

Model total landed fulfillment cost: storage per pallet or cubic foot, pick/pack and handling fees, inbound receiving costs, minimums, and seasonal surcharges. Compare cross‑dock versus long‑term storage scenarios, and forecast cost per order at expected volume tiers to identify the most economical commercial structure for your SKU velocity.