I'm currently evaluating vendors to hire Salesforce developers in the USA for a project that involves complex integrations—specifically with Marketing Cloud, external CRMs, and a custom ERP system.

From a technical standpoint, what should I assess beyond certifications? Are there any red flags or best practices when vetting Salesforce partners for:

Apex and Lightning Web Component (LWC) proficiency
Handling asynchronous data flows (Platform Events, Queueable Apex)
Integration experience with REST/SOAP APIs
Familiarity with HIPAA or industry-specific compliance

Any recommendations or insights from your own hiring experience would be much appreciated.