Prioritize facility footprint (dock doors, racking, temperature control), WMS/WCS integration and API readiness, labor productivity and contingency staffing, SLA performance history, inbound/outbound carrier lanes, and value‑added services such as kitting, returns and reverse logistics. Compare throughput metrics against SKU velocity and peak season plans.

Lower relative real estate and competitive labor markets reduce occupancy and handling costs, improving landed cost per unit. Evaluate shift flexibility, average pick rates, and local labor pools for scalability. Include temporary labor and overtime models when modeling peak season expense and service reliability.

Require modern WMS with real‑time inventory visibility, EDI/API connectivity to your OMS or marketplace platforms, outbound manifesting, and standardized reporting. Look for automation where it impacts throughput and accuracy, plus SLAs for data synchronization and exception handling to minimize order delays.

Request representative transit-time matrices, lane rate samples, and on‑time performance stats from prospective 3PLs. Map carrier coverage for parcel, LTL and TL lanes; simulate typical lead times for top customer clusters; and stress-test with seasonal volume scenarios to quantify SLA exposure and landed-cost tradeoffs.