diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 777875491..f800ee80e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-24.1.5
+24.1.6
diff --git a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/base_pipeline.py b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/base_pipeline.py
index 838ad93ff..d4f7faec8 100644
--- a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/base_pipeline.py
+++ b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/base_pipeline.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         # Create tmp dir and log file (their basename being the name of the script run)
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        self.tmp_dir = lib.utilities.create_processing_tmp_dir(script_name)
+        self.tmp_dir = self.loris_getopt_obj.tmp_dir
         self.log_obj = Log(
             self.db, self.data_dir, script_name, os.path.basename(self.tmp_dir), self.options_dict, self.verbose
         )
diff --git a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/dicom_archive_loader_pipeline.py b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/dicom_archive_loader_pipeline.py
index 59c19aa52..ec495a2da 100644
--- a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/dicom_archive_loader_pipeline.py
+++ b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/dicom_archive_loader_pipeline.py
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ def _run_dicom_archive_validation_pipeline(self):
             message = f"run_dicom_archive_validation.py successfully executed for UploadID {self.upload_id} " \
                       f"and ArchiveLocation {self.tarchive_path}"
             self.log_info(message, is_error="N", is_verbose="Y")
+            # reset mri_upload to Inserting as run_dicom_archive_validation.py will set Inserting=0 after execution
+            self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('1',))
         else:
             message = f"run_dicom_archive_validation.py failed validation for UploadID {self.upload_id}" \
                       f"and ArchiveLocation {self.tarchive_path}. Exit code was {validation_process.returncode}."
@@ -301,6 +303,8 @@ def _run_nifti_insertion(self, nifti_file_path, json_file_path, bval_file_path=N
             message = f"run_nifti_insertion.py successfully executed for file {nifti_file_path}"
             self.log_info(message, is_error="N", is_verbose="Y")
             self.inserted_file_count += 1
+            # reset mri_upload to Inserting as run_nifti_insertion.py will set Inserting=0 after execution
+            self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('1',))
         else:
             message = f"run_nifti_insertion.py failed for file {nifti_file_path}.\n{stdout}"
             print(stdout)
@@ -346,6 +350,8 @@ def _add_intended_for_to_fieldmap_json_files(self):
         """
 
         fmap_files_dict = self.imaging_obj.determine_intended_for_field_for_fmap_json_files(self.tarchive_id)
+        if not fmap_files_dict:
+            return
 
         for key in fmap_files_dict.keys():
             sorted_fmap_files_list = fmap_files_dict[key]
diff --git a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/nifti_insertion_pipeline.py b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/nifti_insertion_pipeline.py
index de5520333..1cb0c54b1 100644
--- a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/nifti_insertion_pipeline.py
+++ b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/nifti_insertion_pipeline.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import lib.exitcode
 import os
 import re
+import subprocess
 import sys
 
 from lib.dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
@@ -36,6 +37,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         """
         super().__init__(loris_getopt_obj, script_name)
         self.nifti_path = self.options_dict["nifti_path"]["value"]
+        self.nifti_s3_url = self.options_dict["nifti_path"]["s3_url"] \
+            if 's3_url' in self.options_dict["nifti_path"].keys() else None
         self.nifti_blake2 = blake2b(self.nifti_path.encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()
         self.nifti_md5 = hashlib.md5(self.nifti_path.encode()).hexdigest()
         self.json_path = self.options_dict["json_path"]["value"]
@@ -48,6 +51,16 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         self.loris_scan_type = self.options_dict["loris_scan_type"]["value"]
         self.bypass_extra_checks = self.options_dict["bypass_extra_checks"]["value"]
 
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Set 'Inserting' flag to 1 in mri_upload
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('1',))
+
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Get S3 object from loris_getopt object
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.s3_obj = self.loris_getopt_obj.s3_obj
+
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         # Check the mri_upload table to see if the DICOM archive has been validated
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -83,6 +96,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
                 self.nifti_path,
                 self.subject_id_dict["CandMismatchError"]
             )
+            if self.nifti_s3_url:  # push candidate errors to S3 if provided file was on S3
+                self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
             self.log_error_and_exit(
                 self.subject_id_dict['CandMismatchError'], lib.exitcode.CANDIDATE_MISMATCH, is_error="Y", is_verbose="N"
             )
@@ -107,6 +122,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
             if not self.scan_type_id:
                 self._move_to_trashbin()
                 self._register_protocol_violated_scan()
+                if self.nifti_s3_url:  # push violations to S3 if provided file was on S3
+                    self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
                 message = f"{self.nifti_path}'s acquisition protocol is 'unknown'."
                 self.log_error_and_exit(message, lib.exitcode.UNKNOWN_PROTOCOL, is_error="Y", is_verbose="N")
             else:
@@ -116,6 +133,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
             if not self.scan_type_id:
                 self._move_to_trashbin()
                 self._register_protocol_violated_scan()
+                if self.nifti_s3_url:  # push violations to S3 if provided file was on S3
+                    self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
                 message = f"{self.nifti_path}'s scan type {self.scan_type_name} provided to run_nifti_insertion.py" \
                           f" is not a valid scan type in the database."
                 self.log_error_and_exit(message, lib.exitcode.UNKNOWN_PROTOCOL, is_error="Y", is_verbose="N")
@@ -127,6 +146,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         if not self.bids_categories_dict:
             self._move_to_trashbin()
             self._register_protocol_violated_scan()
+            if self.nifti_s3_url:  # push violations to S3 if provided file was on S3
+                self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
             message = f"Scan type {self.scan_type_name} does not have BIDS tables set up."
             self.log_error_and_exit(message, lib.exitcode.UNKNOWN_PROTOCOL, is_error="Y", is_verbose="N")
 
@@ -151,6 +172,8 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
             self._move_to_trashbin()
             self._register_violations_log(self.exclude_violations_list, self.trashbin_nifti_rel_path)
             self._register_violations_log(self.warning_violations_list, self.trashbin_nifti_rel_path)
+            if self.nifti_s3_url:  # push violations to S3 if provided file was on S3
+                self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
             message = f"{self.nifti_path} violates exclusionary checks listed in mri_protocol_checks. " \
                       f"  List of violations are: {self.exclude_violations_list}"
             self.log_error_and_exit(message, lib.exitcode.UNKNOWN_PROTOCOL, is_error="Y", is_verbose="N")
@@ -167,9 +190,16 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         self.remove_tmp_dir()
 
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Push inserted images to S3 if they were downloaded from S3
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        if self.nifti_s3_url:
+            self._run_push_to_s3_pipeline()
+
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         # If we get there, the insertion was complete and successful
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('0',))
         sys.exit(lib.exitcode.SUCCESS)
 
     def _load_json_sidecar_file(self):
@@ -658,3 +688,28 @@ def _create_pic_image(self):
         pic_rel_path = self.imaging_obj.create_imaging_pic(file_info)
 
         self.imaging_obj.insert_parameter_file(self.file_id, 'check_pic_filename', pic_rel_path)
+
+    def _run_push_to_s3_pipeline(self):
+        """
+        Run push to S3 script to upload data to S3. This function is called only when the file path to insert provided
+        to the script is an S3 URL.
+        """
+
+        push_to_s3_cmd = [
+            "run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py",
+            "-p", self.options_dict["profile"]["value"],
+            "-u", str(self.upload_id),
+        ]
+        if self.verbose:
+            push_to_s3_cmd.append("-v")
+
+        s3_process = subprocess.Popen(push_to_s3_cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT)
+        stdout, stderr = s3_process.communicate()
+
+        if s3_process.returncode == 0:
+            message = f"run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py successfully executed for Upload ID {self.upload_id}"
+            self.log_info(message, is_error="N", is_verbose="Y")
+        else:
+            message = f"run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py failed for Upload ID {self.upload_id}.\n{stdout}"
+            print(stdout)
+            self.log_info(message, is_error="Y", is_verbose="Y")
diff --git a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
index b9c69c066..b9f3dcc2d 100644
--- a/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
+++ b/python/lib/dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib/push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 import lib.exitcode
 import lib.utilities
-from lib.aws_s3 import AwsS3
 from lib.dcm2bids_imaging_pipeline_lib.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
 
 __license__ = "GPLv3"
@@ -33,16 +32,14 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
         self.tarchive_id = self.dicom_archive_obj.tarchive_info_dict["TarchiveID"]
 
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        # Get Bucket information from Config and connect to bucket
+        # Set 'Inserting' flag to 1 in mri_upload
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        s3_endpoint = self.config_db_obj.get_config("AWS_S3_Endpoint")
-        s3_bucket_name = self.config_db_obj.get_config("AWS_S3_Default_Bucket")
-        self.s3_obj = AwsS3(
-            aws_access_key_id=self.config_file.s3["aws_access_key_id"],
-            aws_secret_access_key=self.config_file.s3["aws_secret_access_key"],
-            aws_endpoint_url=s3_endpoint if s3_endpoint else self.config_file.s3["aws_s3_endpoint_url"],
-            bucket_name=s3_bucket_name if s3_bucket_name else self.config_file.s3["aws_s3_bucket_name"]
-        )
+        self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('1',))
+
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Get S3 object from loris_getopt object
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.s3_obj = self.loris_getopt_obj.s3_obj
 
         # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         # Get all the files from files, parameter_file and violation tables
@@ -69,6 +66,7 @@ def __init__(self, loris_getopt_obj, script_name):
                     os.remove(full_path)
 
         self._clean_up_empty_folders()
+        self.imaging_upload_obj.update_mri_upload(upload_id=self.upload_id, fields=('Inserting',), values=('0',))
         sys.exit(lib.exitcode.SUCCESS)
 
     def _get_files_to_push_list(self):
@@ -144,14 +142,11 @@ def _get_list_of_files_from_mri_protocol_violated_scans(self):
         """
 
         entries = self.imaging_obj.mri_prot_viol_scan_db_obj.get_protocol_violations_for_tarchive_id(self.tarchive_id)
-        print(entries)
         for entry in entries:
-            print(entry['minc_location'])
-            print(os.path.exists(entry['minc_location']))
             if entry['minc_location'].startswith('s3://'):
                 # skip since file already pushed to S3
                 continue
-            if not os.path.exists(self.data_dir + entry['minc_location']):
+            if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.data_dir, entry['minc_location'])):
                 # violation has been rerun or moved
                 continue
             self.files_to_push_list.append({
@@ -182,7 +177,7 @@ def _get_list_of_files_from_mri_violations_log(self):
             if entry['MincFile'].startswith('s3://'):
                 # skip since file already pushed to S3
                 continue
-            if not os.path.exists(self.data_dir + entry['MincFile']):
+            if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.data_dir, entry['MincFile'])):
                 # violation has been rerun or moved
                 continue
             self.files_to_push_list.append({
@@ -266,7 +261,6 @@ def _clean_up_empty_folders(self):
         print("Cleaning up empty folders")
         cand_id = self.subject_id_dict["CandID"]
         bids_cand_id = f"sub-{cand_id}"
-        print(os.path.join(self.data_dir, "assembly_bids", bids_cand_id))
         lib.utilities.remove_empty_folders(os.path.join(self.data_dir, "assembly_bids", bids_cand_id))
         lib.utilities.remove_empty_folders(os.path.join(self.data_dir, "pic", cand_id))
         lib.utilities.remove_empty_folders(os.path.join(self.data_dir, "trashbin"))
diff --git a/python/lib/imaging.py b/python/lib/imaging.py
index 0fe1c0e73..b48bd6279 100644
--- a/python/lib/imaging.py
+++ b/python/lib/imaging.py
@@ -664,7 +664,9 @@ def look_for_matching_protocols(self, protocols_list, scan_param):
         matching_protocols_list = []
         for protocol in protocols_list:
             if protocol['series_description_regex']:
-                if re.search(rf"{protocol['series_description_regex']}", scan_param['SeriesDescription']):
+                if re.search(
+                        rf"{protocol['series_description_regex']}", scan_param['SeriesDescription'], re.IGNORECASE
+                ):
                     matching_protocols_list.append(protocol['Scan_type'])
             elif self.is_scan_protocol_matching_db_protocol(protocol, scan_param):
                 matching_protocols_list.append(protocol['Scan_type'])
@@ -793,7 +795,7 @@ def get_violations(self, checks_list, header, severity, scan_param_dict):
             True for v in valid_ranges if self.in_range(scan_param, v[0], v[1])]
         )) if valid_ranges else True
         passes_regex_check = bool(len([
-            True for r in valid_regexs if re.match(r, scan_param)
+            True for r in valid_regexs if re.match(r, scan_param, re.IGNORECASE)
         ])) if valid_regexs else True
 
         if passes_regex_check and passes_range_check:
@@ -866,9 +868,16 @@ def determine_intended_for_field_for_fmap_json_files(self, tarchive_id):
         # get the list of files sorted by acquisition time
         sorted_new_files_list = self.get_list_of_files_sorted_by_acq_time(files_list)
 
+        if not sorted_new_files_list or not sorted_fmap_files_dict:
+            # if got empty lists, then there are no files to determine IntendedFor either because acq_time
+            # was not set or because there are no fieldmap data
+            return None
+
         for key in sorted_fmap_files_dict.keys():
             sorted_fmap_files_list = sorted_fmap_files_dict[key]
             for idx, fmap_dict in enumerate(sorted_fmap_files_list):
+                if not fmap_dict['acq_time']:
+                    continue
                 fmap_acq_time = fmap_dict['acq_time']
                 next_fmap_acq_time = sorted_fmap_files_list[idx + 1]['acq_time'] \
                     if idx + 1 < len(sorted_fmap_files_list) else None
@@ -926,13 +935,15 @@ def get_list_of_fmap_files_sorted_by_acq_time(self, files_list):
         fmap_files_dir_pa = []
         fmap_files_no_dir = []
         for file_dict in files_list:
+
             bids_info = self.mri_prot_db_obj.get_bids_info_for_scan_type_id(
                 file_dict['AcquisitionProtocolID']
             )
-            acq_time = self.param_file_db_obj.get_parameter_file_for_file_id_param_type_id(
+            param_file_result = self.param_file_db_obj.get_parameter_file_for_file_id_param_type_id(
                 file_dict['FileID'],
                 self.param_type_db_obj.get_parameter_type_id('acquisition_time')
-            )['Value']
+            )
+            acq_time = param_file_result['Value'] if param_file_result else None
             if bids_info['BIDSCategoryName'] == 'fmap' and bids_info['BIDSScanType'] in bids_fmap_suffix_list:
                 json_file_path = self.param_file_db_obj.get_parameter_file_for_file_id_param_type_id(
                     file_dict['FileID'],
@@ -953,11 +964,14 @@ def get_list_of_fmap_files_sorted_by_acq_time(self, files_list):
                 else:
                     fmap_files_no_dir.append(file_dict)
 
-        fmap_files_dict = {
-            'dir-AP': sorted(fmap_files_dir_ap, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
-            'dir-PA': sorted(fmap_files_dir_pa, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
-            'no-dir': sorted(fmap_files_no_dir, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
-        }
+        try:
+            fmap_files_dict = {
+                'dir-AP': sorted(fmap_files_dir_ap, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
+                'dir-PA': sorted(fmap_files_dir_pa, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
+                'no-dir': sorted(fmap_files_no_dir, key=lambda x: x['acq_time']),
+            }
+        except TypeError:
+            return None
 
         return fmap_files_dict
 
@@ -986,10 +1000,11 @@ def get_list_of_files_sorted_by_acq_time(self, files_list):
             bids_info = self.mri_prot_db_obj.get_bids_info_for_scan_type_id(
                 file_dict['AcquisitionProtocolID']
             )
-            acq_time = self.param_file_db_obj.get_parameter_file_for_file_id_param_type_id(
+            param_file_result = self.param_file_db_obj.get_parameter_file_for_file_id_param_type_id(
                 file_dict['FileID'],
                 self.param_type_db_obj.get_parameter_type_id('acquisition_time')
-            )['Value']
+            )
+            acq_time = param_file_result['Value'] if param_file_result else None
             require_fmap = False
             if (bids_info['BIDSCategoryName'] == 'dwi' and bids_info['BIDSScanType'] in bids_dwi_suffix_list) \
                     or (bids_info['BIDSCategoryName'] == 'func' and bids_info['BIDSScanType'] in bids_func_suffix_list)\
@@ -1012,7 +1027,12 @@ def get_list_of_files_sorted_by_acq_time(self, files_list):
                 'need_fmap': require_fmap
             })
 
-        return sorted(new_files_list, key=lambda x: x['acq_time'])
+        try:
+            sorted_files_list = sorted(new_files_list, key=lambda x: x['acq_time'])
+        except TypeError:
+            return None
+        
+        return sorted_files_list
 
     def modify_fmap_json_file_to_write_intended_for(self, sorted_fmap_files_list):
         """
@@ -1023,6 +1043,8 @@ def modify_fmap_json_file_to_write_intended_for(self, sorted_fmap_files_list):
         """
 
         for fmap_dict in sorted_fmap_files_list:
+            if 'IntendedFor' not in fmap_dict:
+                continue
             json_file_path = os.path.join(self.config_db_obj.get_config('dataDirBasepath'), fmap_dict['json_file_path'])
             with open(json_file_path) as json_file:
                 json_data = json.load(json_file)
diff --git a/python/lib/lorisgetopt.py b/python/lib/lorisgetopt.py
index 9378e74dc..362eb5ad2 100644
--- a/python/lib/lorisgetopt.py
+++ b/python/lib/lorisgetopt.py
@@ -2,9 +2,15 @@
 import getopt
 
 import lib.exitcode
+import lib.utilities
 import os
 import sys
 
+from lib.aws_s3 import AwsS3
+from lib.database import Database
+from lib.database_lib.config import Config
+
+
 __license__ = "GPLv3"
 
 
@@ -56,12 +62,9 @@ class LorisGetOpt:
     # get the options provided by the user
     loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict)
 
-    # validate that the options provided are correct
-    loris_getopt_obj.perform_default_checks_and_load_config()
-
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, usage, options_dict):
+    def __init__(self, usage, options_dict, script_name):
         """
         Initialize the class, run GetOpt and populate the options_dict with the values that
         were provided to the script.
@@ -80,6 +83,36 @@ def __init__(self, usage, options_dict):
             sys.exit(lib.exitcode.GETOPT_FAILURE)
 
         self.populate_options_dict_values(opts)
+        self.check_required_options_are_set()
+        self.load_config_file()
+        self.tmp_dir = lib.utilities.create_processing_tmp_dir(script_name)
+
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Establish database connection
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.config_file = self.config_info
+        self.verbose = self.options_dict["verbose"]["value"]
+        self.db = Database(self.config_file.mysql, self.verbose)
+        self.db.connect()
+
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Load the Config, MRI Upload, Parameter Type and Parameter File database classes
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        self.config_db_obj = Config(self.db, self.verbose)
+
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        # Get Bucket information from Config and connect to bucket
+        # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        s3_endpoint = self.config_db_obj.get_config("AWS_S3_Endpoint")
+        s3_bucket_name = self.config_db_obj.get_config("AWS_S3_Default_Bucket")
+        self.s3_obj = AwsS3(
+            aws_access_key_id=self.config_file.s3["aws_access_key_id"],
+            aws_secret_access_key=self.config_file.s3["aws_secret_access_key"],
+            aws_endpoint_url=s3_endpoint if s3_endpoint else self.config_file.s3["aws_s3_endpoint_url"],
+            bucket_name=s3_bucket_name if s3_bucket_name else self.config_file.s3["aws_s3_bucket_name"]
+        )
+
+        self.check_options_file_path_exists()
 
     def get_long_options(self):
         """
@@ -130,17 +163,6 @@ def populate_options_dict_values(self, opts):
                             arg = True
                         self.options_dict[key]["value"] = arg
 
-    def perform_default_checks_and_load_config(self):
-        """
-        Regroups all the different default checks that should be run on GetOpt information
-        provided when running the script.
-        """
-
-        # perform some initial checks
-        self.check_required_options_are_set()
-        self.check_options_file_path_exists()
-        self.load_config_file()
-
     def load_config_file(self):
         """
         Loads the config file based on the value provided by the option '--profile' when
@@ -190,7 +212,17 @@ def check_options_file_path_exists(self):
 
         for key in self.options_dict:
             opt_value = self.options_dict[key]["value"]
-            if self.options_dict[key]["is_path"] and opt_value and not os.path.isfile(opt_value):
+            if self.options_dict[key]["is_path"] and opt_value and opt_value.startswith('s3://'):
+                try:
+                    file_path = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, os.path.basename(opt_value))
+                    self.s3_obj.download_file(opt_value, file_path)
+                    self.options_dict[key]["s3_url"] = opt_value
+                    self.options_dict[key]["value"] = file_path
+                except Exception as err:
+                    print(f"[ERROR   ] {opt_value} could not be downloaded from S3 bucket. Error was\n{err}")
+                    print(self.usage)
+                    sys.exit(lib.exitcode.INVALID_PATH)
+            elif self.options_dict[key]["is_path"] and opt_value and not os.path.isfile(opt_value):
                 print(f"\n[ERROR   ] {opt_value} does not exist. Please provide a valid path for --{key}\n")
                 print(self.usage)
                 sys.exit(lib.exitcode.INVALID_PATH)
diff --git a/python/run_dicom_archive_loader.py b/python/run_dicom_archive_loader.py
index edd4bacbd..b4f848f34 100755
--- a/python/run_dicom_archive_loader.py
+++ b/python/run_dicom_archive_loader.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def main():
     }
 
     # get the options provided by the user
-    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict)
+    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
 
     # input error checking and load config_file file
     input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj)
@@ -77,8 +77,6 @@ def main():
 
 
 def input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj):
-    # perform initial checks and load config file (in loris_getopt_obj.config_info)
-    loris_getopt_obj.perform_default_checks_and_load_config()
 
     # check that only one of tarchive_path, upload_id or force has been provided
     loris_getopt_obj.check_tarchive_path_upload_id_or_force_set()
diff --git a/python/run_dicom_archive_validation.py b/python/run_dicom_archive_validation.py
index 593fd7026..bfe4c8d28 100755
--- a/python/run_dicom_archive_validation.py
+++ b/python/run_dicom_archive_validation.py
@@ -65,10 +65,7 @@ def main():
     }
 
     # get the options provided by the user
-    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict)
-
-    # input error checking and load config_file file
-    loris_getopt_obj.perform_default_checks_and_load_config()
+    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
 
     # validate the DICOM archive
     DicomValidationPipeline(loris_getopt_obj, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
diff --git a/python/run_nifti_insertion.py b/python/run_nifti_insertion.py
index 3c37c08c5..1382028f5 100755
--- a/python/run_nifti_insertion.py
+++ b/python/run_nifti_insertion.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ def main():
     }
 
     # get the options provided by the user
-    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict)
+    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
 
     # input error checking and load config_file file
     input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj)
@@ -107,8 +107,6 @@ def main():
 
 
 def input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj):
-    # perform initial checks and load config file (in loris_getopt_obj.config_info)
-    loris_getopt_obj.perform_default_checks_and_load_config()
 
     # check that only one of tarchive_path, upload_id or force has been provided
     loris_getopt_obj.check_tarchive_path_upload_id_or_force_set()
diff --git a/python/run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py b/python/run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
index f3cf1c126..4ff13a13e 100755
--- a/python/run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
+++ b/python/run_push_imaging_files_to_s3_pipeline.py
@@ -55,19 +55,11 @@ def main():
     }
 
     # get the options provided by the user
-    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict)
-
-    # input error checking and load config_file file
-    input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj)
+    loris_getopt_obj = LorisGetOpt(usage, options_dict, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
 
     # push to S3 pipeline
     PushImagingFilesToS3Pipeline(loris_getopt_obj, os.path.basename(__file__[:-3]))
 
 
-def input_error_checking(loris_getopt_obj):
-    # perform initial checks and load config file (in loris_getopt_obj.config_info)
-    loris_getopt_obj.perform_default_checks_and_load_config()
-
-
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()