diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/database_helpers.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/database_helpers.py
index 51545311..bee8a267 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/database_helpers.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/database_helpers.py
@@ -203,19 +203,20 @@ def create_storage_location_object(current_location, description, storage_servic
     return storage_location
 
 
-def create_or_update_storage_location(current_location, api_url, storage_service_id):
+def create_or_update_storage_location(current_location, storage_service):
     """Create or update Storage Location and return it."""
     storage_location = StorageLocation.query.filter_by(
         current_location=current_location
     ).first()
+
     request_url, request_url_without_api_key = get_storage_service_api_url(
-        api_url, current_location
+        storage_service, current_location
     )
     response = tasks.make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key)
     description = response.get("description")
     if not storage_location:
         return create_storage_location_object(
-            current_location, description, storage_service_id
+            current_location, description, storage_service.id
         )
 
     if storage_location.description != description:
@@ -233,11 +234,12 @@ def create_pipeline_object(origin_pipeline, dashboard_url):
     return pipeline
 
 
-def create_or_update_pipeline(origin_pipeline, api_url):
+def create_or_update_pipeline(origin_pipeline, storage_service):
     """Create or update Storage Location and return it."""
     pipeline = Pipeline.query.filter_by(origin_pipeline=origin_pipeline).first()
+
     request_url, request_url_without_api_key = get_storage_service_api_url(
-        api_url, origin_pipeline
+        storage_service, origin_pipeline
     )
     response = tasks.make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key)
     dashboard_url = response.get("remote_name")
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/mets_parse_helpers.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/mets_parse_helpers.py
index 74219d7d..96651d79 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/mets_parse_helpers.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/mets_parse_helpers.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def get_aip_original_name(mets):
     # ignore those.
     TRANSFER_DIR_PREFIX = "%transferDirectory%"
 
-    NAMESPACES = {u"premis": u"http://www.loc.gov/premis/v3"}
+    NAMESPACES = {"premis": "http://www.loc.gov/premis/v3"}
     ELEM_ORIGINAL_NAME_PATTERN = ".//premis:originalName"
 
     original_name = ""
@@ -85,13 +85,13 @@ def get_aip_original_name(mets):
 
 
 def download_mets(
-    api_url, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets, timestamp, package_list_no
+    storage_service, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets, timestamp, package_list_no
 ):
     """Download METS from the storage service."""
 
     # Request the METS file.
     mets_response = requests.get(
-        get_mets_url(api_url, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets)
+        get_mets_url(storage_service, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets)
     )
 
     # Create a directory to download the METS to.
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/task_helpers.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/task_helpers.py
index dcadb51a..f0a6db14 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/task_helpers.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/task_helpers.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 """Collects a number of reusable components of tasks.py. Also ensures
 the module remains clean and easy to refactor over time.
 """
+import json
 import os
 from datetime import datetime
 
@@ -11,20 +12,17 @@
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.types import StorageServicePackage
 
 
-def format_api_url_with_limit_offset(api_url):
+def format_api_url_with_limit_offset(storage_service):
     """Format the API URL here to make sure it is as correct as
     possible.
     """
-    base_url = api_url.get("baseUrl", "").rstrip("/")
-    limit = int(api_url.get("limit", ""))
-    offset = api_url.get("offset", "")
-    user_name = api_url.get("userName")
-    api_key = api_url.get("apiKey", "")
+    base_url = storage_service.url.rstrip("/")
+
     request_url_without_api_key = "{}/api/v2/file/?limit={}&offset={}".format(
-        base_url, limit, offset
+        base_url, storage_service.download_limit, storage_service.download_offset
     )
     request_url = "{}&username={}&api_key={}".format(
-        request_url_without_api_key, user_name, api_key
+        request_url_without_api_key, storage_service.user_name, storage_service.api_key
     )
     return base_url, request_url_without_api_key, request_url
 
@@ -36,6 +34,19 @@ def get_packages_directory(timestamp):
     return os.path.join("AIPscan", "Aggregator", "downloads", timestamp, "packages")
 
 
+def parse_package_list_file(filepath, logger=None, remove_after_parsing=False):
+    with open(filepath, "r") as packages_json:
+        package_list = json.load(packages_json)
+    try:
+        if remove_after_parsing:
+            os.remove(filepath)
+    except OSError as err:
+        if logger:
+            logger.warning("Unable to delete package JSON file: {}".format(err))
+
+    return package_list
+
+
 def process_package_object(package_obj):
     """Process a package object as retrieve from the storage service
     and return a StorageServicePackage type to the caller for further
@@ -95,32 +106,27 @@ def _tz_neutral_date(date):
     return date
 
 
-def get_mets_url(api_url, package_uuid, path_to_mets):
+def get_mets_url(storage_service, package_uuid, path_to_mets):
     """Construct a URL from which we can download the METS files that
     we are interested in.
     """
-    am_url = "baseUrl"
-    user_name = "userName"
-    api_key = "apiKey"
-
     mets_url = "{}/api/v2/file/{}/extract_file/?relative_path_to_file={}&username={}&api_key={}".format(
-        api_url[am_url].rstrip("/"),
+        storage_service.url.rstrip("/"),
         package_uuid,
         path_to_mets,
-        api_url[user_name],
-        api_url[api_key],
+        storage_service.user_name,
+        storage_service.api_key,
     )
     return mets_url
 
 
-def get_storage_service_api_url(api_url, api_path):
+def get_storage_service_api_url(storage_service, api_path):
     """Return URL to fetch location infofrom Storage Service."""
-    base_url = api_url.get("baseUrl", "").rstrip("/")
+    base_url = storage_service.url.rstrip("/")
     request_url_without_api_key = "{}{}".format(base_url, api_path).rstrip("/")
-    user_name = api_url.get("userName")
-    api_key = api_url.get("apiKey", "")
+
     request_url = "{}?username={}&api_key={}".format(
-        request_url_without_api_key, user_name, api_key
+        request_url_without_api_key, storage_service.user_name, storage_service.api_key
     )
     return request_url, request_url_without_api_key
 
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tasks.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tasks.py
index abfd316e..d18e0c20 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tasks.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tasks.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 )
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.task_helpers import (
     format_api_url_with_limit_offset,
+    parse_package_list_file,
     process_package_object,
 )
 from AIPscan.extensions import celery
@@ -52,51 +53,54 @@ def start_mets_task(
     relative_path_to_mets,
     current_location,
     origin_pipeline,
-    api_url,
     timestamp_str,
     package_list_no,
     storage_service_id,
     fetch_job_id,
+    immediate=False,
 ):
     """Initiate a get_mets task worker and record the event in the
     celery database.
     """
+    storage_service = StorageService.query.get(storage_service_id)
     storage_location = database_helpers.create_or_update_storage_location(
-        current_location, api_url, storage_service_id
+        current_location, storage_service
     )
 
-    pipeline = database_helpers.create_or_update_pipeline(origin_pipeline, api_url)
+    pipeline = database_helpers.create_or_update_pipeline(
+        origin_pipeline, storage_service
+    )
 
-    # Call worker to download and parse METS File.
-    get_mets_task = get_mets.delay(
+    args = [
         package_uuid,
         aip_size,
         relative_path_to_mets,
-        api_url,
         timestamp_str,
         package_list_no,
         storage_service_id,
         storage_location.id,
         pipeline.id,
         fetch_job_id,
-    )
-    mets_task = get_mets_tasks(
-        get_mets_task_id=get_mets_task.id,
-        workflow_coordinator_id=workflow_coordinator.request.id,
-        package_uuid=package_uuid,
-        status=None,
-    )
-    db.session.add(mets_task)
-    db.session.commit()
+    ]
+
+    if immediate:
+        # Execute immediately.
+        get_mets.apply(args=args)
+    else:
+        # Call worker to download and parse METS File.
+        get_mets_task = get_mets.delay(*args)
+        mets_task = get_mets_tasks(
+            get_mets_task_id=get_mets_task.id,
+            workflow_coordinator_id=workflow_coordinator.request.id,
+            package_uuid=package_uuid,
+            status=None,
+        )
+        db.session.add(mets_task)
+        db.session.commit()
 
 
 def parse_packages_and_load_mets(
-    json_file_path,
-    api_url,
-    timestamp,
-    package_list_no,
-    storage_service_id,
-    fetch_job_id,
+    package_list, timestamp, package_list_no, storage_service_id, fetch_job_id
 ):
     """Parse packages documents from the storage service and initiate
     the load mets functions of AIPscan. Results are written to the
@@ -104,31 +108,22 @@ def parse_packages_and_load_mets(
     """
     OBJECTS = "objects"
     packages = []
-    with open(json_file_path, "r") as packages_json:
-        package_list = json.load(packages_json)
-
-    try:
-        os.remove(json_file_path)
-    except OSError as err:
-        logger.warning("Unable to delete package JSON file: {}".format(err))
 
     for package_obj in package_list.get(OBJECTS, []):
         package = process_package_object(package_obj)
+
         packages.append(package)
+        handle_deletion(package)
 
-        if package.is_deleted():
-            delete_aip(package.uuid)
+        if not package.is_undeleted_aip():
             continue
 
-        if not package.is_aip():
-            continue
         start_mets_task(
             package.uuid,
             package.size,
             package.get_relative_path(),
             package.current_location,
             package.origin_pipeline,
-            api_url,
             timestamp,
             package_list_no,
             storage_service_id,
@@ -137,6 +132,11 @@ def parse_packages_and_load_mets(
     return packages
 
 
+def handle_deletion(package):
+    if package.is_deleted():
+        delete_aip(package.uuid)
+
+
 def delete_aip(uuid):
     logger.warning("Package deleted from SS: '%s'", uuid)
 
@@ -149,14 +149,13 @@ def delete_aip(uuid):
 
 @celery.task(bind=True)
 def workflow_coordinator(
-    self, api_url, timestamp, storage_service_id, fetch_job_id, packages_directory
+    self, timestamp, storage_service_id, fetch_job_id, packages_directory
 ):
-
     logger.info("Packages directory is: %s", packages_directory)
 
     # Send package list request to a worker.
     package_lists_task = package_lists_request.delay(
-        api_url, timestamp, packages_directory
+        storage_service_id, timestamp, packages_directory
     )
 
     write_celery_update(package_lists_task, workflow_coordinator)
@@ -181,13 +180,10 @@ def workflow_coordinator(
         )
         # Process packages and create a new worker to download and parse
         # each METS separately.
+        package_list = parse_package_list_file(json_file_path, logger, True)
+
         packages = parse_packages_and_load_mets(
-            json_file_path,
-            api_url,
-            timestamp,
-            package_list_no,
-            storage_service_id,
-            fetch_job_id,
+            package_list, timestamp, package_list_no, storage_service_id, fetch_job_id
         )
         all_packages = all_packages + packages
 
@@ -228,29 +224,34 @@ def make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key):
 
 
 @celery.task(bind=True)
-def package_lists_request(self, apiUrl, timestamp, packages_directory):
+def package_lists_request(self, storage_service_id, timestamp, packages_directory):
     """Request package lists from the storage service. Package lists
     will contain details of the AIPs that we want to download.
     """
     META = "meta"
     NEXT = "next"
-    LIMIT = "limit"
     COUNT = "total_count"
     IN_PROGRESS = "IN PROGRESS"
+
+    storage_service = StorageService.query.get(storage_service_id)
+
     (
         base_url,
         request_url_without_api_key,
         request_url,
-    ) = format_api_url_with_limit_offset(apiUrl)
+    ) = format_api_url_with_limit_offset(storage_service)
+
     # First packages request.
     packages = make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key)
     packages_count = 1
+
     # Calculate how many package list files will be downloaded based on
     # total number of packages and the download limit
     total_packages = int(packages.get(META, {}).get(COUNT, 0))
-    total_package_lists = int(total_packages / int(apiUrl.get(LIMIT))) + (
-        total_packages % int(apiUrl.get(LIMIT)) > 0
+    total_package_lists = int(total_packages / int(storage_service.download_limit)) + (
+        total_packages % int(storage_service.download_limit) > 0
     )
+
     # There may be more packages to download to let's access those here.
     # TODO: `request_url_without_api_key` at this point will not be as
     # accurate. If we have more time, modify `format_api_url_with_limit_offset(...)`
@@ -272,6 +273,7 @@ def package_lists_request(self, apiUrl, timestamp, packages_directory):
                 )
             },
         )
+
     return {
         "totalPackageLists": total_package_lists,
         "totalPackages": total_packages,
@@ -284,7 +286,6 @@ def get_mets(
     package_uuid,
     aip_size,
     relative_path_to_mets,
-    api_url,
     timestamp_str,
     package_list_no,
     storage_service_id,
@@ -313,8 +314,13 @@ def get_mets(
         tasklogger = customlogger
 
     # Download METS file
+    storage_service = StorageService.query.get(storage_service_id)
     download_file = download_mets(
-        api_url, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets, timestamp_str, package_list_no
+        storage_service,
+        package_uuid,
+        relative_path_to_mets,
+        timestamp_str,
+        package_list_no,
     )
     mets_name = os.path.basename(download_file)
     mets_hash = file_sha256_hash(download_file)
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_database_helpers.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_database_helpers.py
index 06de425b..26e5aab7 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_database_helpers.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_database_helpers.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
     FileType,
     Pipeline,
     StorageLocation,
+    StorageService,
 )
 
 FIXTURES_DIR = "fixtures"
@@ -289,14 +290,15 @@ def test_create_or_update_storage_location(
     """Test that Storage Locations are created or updated as expected."""
     make_request = mocker.patch("AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks.make_request")
     make_request.return_value = {"description": new_description}
+
     create_storage_location_object = mocker.patch(
         "AIPscan.Aggregator.database_helpers.create_storage_location_object"
     )
 
+    storage_service = StorageService.query.get(1)
+
     storage_location = database_helpers.create_or_update_storage_location(
-        current_location=current_location,
-        api_url={},
-        storage_service_id=storage_service_id,
+        current_location=current_location, storage_service=storage_service
     )
 
     if location_created:
@@ -320,12 +322,20 @@ def test_create_or_update_pipeline(
     """Test that Storage Locations are created or updated as expected."""
     make_request = mocker.patch("AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks.make_request")
     make_request.return_value = {"remote_name": new_url}
+
     create_pipeline_object = mocker.patch(
         "AIPscan.Aggregator.database_helpers.create_pipeline_object"
     )
 
+    get_storage_service_api_url = mocker.patch(
+        "AIPscan.Aggregator.database_helpers.get_storage_service_api_url"
+    )
+    get_storage_service_api_url.return_value = (None, None)
+
+    storage_service = StorageService.query.get(1)
+
     pipeline = database_helpers.create_or_update_pipeline(
-        origin_pipeline=origin_pipeline, api_url={}
+        origin_pipeline=origin_pipeline, storage_service=storage_service
     )
 
     if pipeline_created:
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_task_helpers.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_task_helpers.py
index 52c6dd3a..f85fe864 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_task_helpers.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_task_helpers.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
+from AIPscan import models
 from AIPscan.Aggregator import task_helpers
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.types import StorageServicePackage
 
@@ -26,8 +27,7 @@
     ],
 )
 def test_tz_neutral_dates(input_date, output_date, now_year):
-    """Ensure datetime values are handled sensibly across regions.
-    """
+    """Ensure datetime values are handled sensibly across regions."""
     result_date = task_helpers._tz_neutral_date(input_date)
     if now_year is True:
         year = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
@@ -40,15 +40,17 @@ def test_tz_neutral_dates(input_date, output_date, now_year):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "url_api_dict, base_url, url_without_api_key, url_with_api_key",
+    "ss_args, base_url, url_without_api_key, url_with_api_key",
     [
         (
             {
-                "baseUrl": "http://example.com:9000/",
-                "limit": "23",
-                "offset": "13",
-                "userName": "test",
-                "apiKey": "mykey",
+                "name": "Test",
+                "url": "http://example.com:9000/",
+                "user_name": "test",
+                "api_key": "mykey",
+                "download_limit": "23",
+                "download_offset": "13",
+                "default": False,
             },
             "http://example.com:9000",
             "http://example.com:9000/api/v2/file/?limit=23&offset=13",
@@ -56,11 +58,13 @@ def test_tz_neutral_dates(input_date, output_date, now_year):
         ),
         (
             {
-                "baseUrl": "http://subdomain.example.com:8000/",
-                "limit": "10",
-                "offset": "99",
-                "userName": "anothertest",
-                "apiKey": "myotherkey",
+                "name": "Test",
+                "url": "http://subdomain.example.com:8000/",
+                "user_name": "anothertest",
+                "api_key": "myotherkey",
+                "download_limit": "10",
+                "download_offset": "99",
+                "default": False,
             },
             "http://subdomain.example.com:8000",
             "http://subdomain.example.com:8000/api/v2/file/?limit=10&offset=99",
@@ -68,42 +72,67 @@ def test_tz_neutral_dates(input_date, output_date, now_year):
         ),
     ],
 )
-def test_format_api_url(url_api_dict, base_url, url_without_api_key, url_with_api_key):
-    res1, res2, res3 = task_helpers.format_api_url_with_limit_offset(url_api_dict)
+def test_format_api_url(ss_args, base_url, url_without_api_key, url_with_api_key):
+    storage_service = models.StorageService(**ss_args)
+    res1, res2, res3 = task_helpers.format_api_url_with_limit_offset(storage_service)
     assert res1 == base_url
     assert res2 == url_without_api_key
     assert res3 == url_with_api_key
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "api_url, package_uuid, path_to_mets, result",
+    "ss_args, package_uuid, path_to_mets, result",
     [
         (
-            {"baseUrl": "http://example.com", "userName": "1234", "apiKey": "1234"},
+            {
+                "name": "Test",
+                "url": "http://example.com",
+                "user_name": "1234",
+                "api_key": "1234",
+                "download_limit": 0,
+                "download_offset": 0,
+                "default": False,
+            },
             "1234",
             "1234",
             "http://example.com/api/v2/file/1234/extract_file/?relative_path_to_file=1234&username=1234&api_key=1234",
         ),
         (
-            {"baseUrl": "http://example.com/", "userName": "1234", "apiKey": "1234"},
+            {
+                "name": "Test",
+                "url": "http://example.com",
+                "user_name": "1234",
+                "api_key": "1234",
+                "download_limit": 0,
+                "download_offset": 0,
+                "default": False,
+            },
             "1234",
             "1234",
             "http://example.com/api/v2/file/1234/extract_file/?relative_path_to_file=1234&username=1234&api_key=1234",
         ),
     ],
 )
-def test_get_mets_url(api_url, package_uuid, path_to_mets, result):
-    """Ensure that the URL for retrieving METS is constructed properly.
-    """
-    mets_url = task_helpers.get_mets_url(api_url, package_uuid, path_to_mets)
+def test_get_mets_url(ss_args, package_uuid, path_to_mets, result):
+    """Ensure that the URL for retrieving METS is constructed properly."""
+    ss = models.StorageService(**ss_args)
+    mets_url = task_helpers.get_mets_url(ss, package_uuid, path_to_mets)
     assert mets_url == result
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "api_url, current_location, expected_url, expected_url_without_api_key",
+    "ss_args, current_location, expected_url, expected_url_without_api_key",
     [
         (
-            {"baseUrl": "http://example.com", "userName": "1234", "apiKey": "12345"},
+            {
+                "name": "Test",
+                "url": "http://example.com",
+                "user_name": "1234",
+                "api_key": "12345",
+                "download_limit": 0,
+                "download_offset": 0,
+                "default": False,
+            },
             "/api/v2/location/{}".format(LOCATION_UUID),
             "http://example.com/api/v2/location/1b60c346-85a0-4a3c-a88b-0c1b3255e2ec?username=1234&api_key=12345",
             "http://example.com/api/v2/location/1b60c346-85a0-4a3c-a88b-0c1b3255e2ec",
@@ -111,11 +140,13 @@ def test_get_mets_url(api_url, package_uuid, path_to_mets, result):
     ],
 )
 def test_get_storage_service_api_url(
-    api_url, current_location, expected_url, expected_url_without_api_key
+    ss_args, current_location, expected_url, expected_url_without_api_key
 ):
     """Ensure construction of URL to fetch Resource information."""
+    storage_service = models.StorageService(**ss_args)
+
     url, url_without_secrets = task_helpers.get_storage_service_api_url(
-        api_url, current_location
+        storage_service, current_location
     )
     assert url == expected_url
     assert url_without_secrets == expected_url_without_api_key
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_tasks.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_tasks.py
index 8d0695f5..b737aeba 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_tasks.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_tasks.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
     delete_storage_service,
     get_mets,
     make_request,
+    parse_package_list_file,
     parse_packages_and_load_mets,
 )
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.tests import (
@@ -56,7 +57,11 @@ def test_get_mets_task(app_instance, tmpdir, mocker, fixture_path, package_uuid)
     mets_file = os.path.join(FIXTURES_DIR, fixture_path)
 
     def mock_download_mets(
-        api_url, package_uuid, relative_path_to_mets, timestamp_str, package_list_no
+        storage_service,
+        package_uuid,
+        relative_path_to_mets,
+        timestamp_str,
+        package_list_no,
     ):
         return mets_file
 
@@ -78,8 +83,6 @@ def mock_download_mets(
     aips = _get_aips(storage_service.id)
     assert not aips
 
-    api_url = {"baseUrl": "http://test-url", "userName": "test", "apiKey": "test"}
-
     # Set up custom logger and add handler to capture output
     customlogger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
     customlogger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
@@ -96,7 +99,6 @@ def mock_download_mets(
         package_uuid=package_uuid,
         aip_size=1000,
         relative_path_to_mets="test",
-        api_url=api_url,
         timestamp_str=datetime.now()
         .replace(microsecond=0)
         .strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S"),
@@ -121,7 +123,6 @@ def mock_download_mets(
         package_uuid=package_uuid,
         aip_size=1000,
         relative_path_to_mets="test",
-        api_url=api_url,
         timestamp_str=datetime.now()
         .replace(microsecond=0)
         .strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S"),
@@ -147,7 +148,6 @@ def mock_download_mets(
         package_uuid=package_uuid,
         aip_size=1000,
         relative_path_to_mets="test",
-        api_url=api_url,
         timestamp_str=datetime.now()
         .replace(microsecond=0)
         .strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S"),
@@ -236,6 +236,18 @@ def test_make_request(mocker, response, raises_task_error):
         assert return_dict["key"] == RESPONSE_DICT["key"]
 
 
+def test_parse_package_list_file(tmpdir):
+    """Test that JSON package list files are being parsed."""
+    json_file_path = tmpdir.join("packages.json")
+    json_file_path.write(json.dumps({"objects": []}))
+
+    package = parse_package_list_file(json_file_path, None, True)
+    assert "objects" in package
+
+    package_list = package["objects"]
+    assert len(package_list) == 0
+
+
 def test_parse_packages_and_load_mets(app_instance, tmpdir, mocker):
     """Test that JSON package lists are deleted after being parsed."""
     json_file_path = tmpdir.join("packages.json")
@@ -243,7 +255,9 @@ def test_parse_packages_and_load_mets(app_instance, tmpdir, mocker):
 
     delete_package_json = mocker.patch("AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks.os.remove")
 
-    parse_packages_and_load_mets(json_file_path, {}, str(datetime.now()), 1, 1, 1)
+    package_list = parse_package_list_file(json_file_path, None, True)
+
+    parse_packages_and_load_mets(package_list, str(datetime.now()), 1, 1, 1)
 
     delete_package_json.assert_called_with(json_file_path)
 
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_types.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_types.py
index 0071d259..a25cf188 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_types.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_types.py
@@ -44,32 +44,49 @@ def test_package_ness():
     """
     package = types.StorageServicePackage(aip=True)
     assert package.is_aip()
+    assert package.is_undeleted_aip()
     assert not package.is_dip()
     assert not package.is_sip()
     assert not package.is_deleted()
     assert not package.is_replica()
+
     package = types.StorageServicePackage(dip=True)
     assert package.is_dip()
     assert not package.is_aip()
+    assert not package.is_undeleted_aip()
     assert not package.is_sip()
     assert not package.is_deleted()
     assert not package.is_replica()
+
     package = types.StorageServicePackage(sip=True)
     assert package.is_sip()
     assert not package.is_dip()
     assert not package.is_aip()
+    assert not package.is_undeleted_aip()
     assert not package.is_deleted()
     assert not package.is_replica()
+
     package = types.StorageServicePackage(deleted=True)
     assert package.is_deleted()
     assert not package.is_replica()
     assert not package.is_aip()
+    assert not package.is_undeleted_aip()
+    assert not package.is_dip()
+    assert not package.is_aip()
+
+    package = types.StorageServicePackage(aip=True, deleted=True)
+    assert package.is_deleted()
+    assert not package.is_replica()
+    assert not package.is_aip()
+    assert not package.is_undeleted_aip()
     assert not package.is_dip()
     assert not package.is_aip()
+
     package = types.StorageServicePackage(aip=True, replica=True)
     assert package.is_replica()
     assert not package.is_deleted()
     assert not package.is_aip()
+    assert not package.is_undeleted_aip()
     assert not package.is_dip()
     assert not package.is_aip()
 
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_views.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_views.py
index b6edfaf0..bd44e4e0 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/tests/test_views.py
@@ -3,14 +3,7 @@
 
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks import TaskError
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.views import _test_storage_service_connection
-
-API_URL = {
-    "baseUrl": "http://test-url",
-    "userName": "test",
-    "apiKey": "test",
-    "offset": "10",
-    "limit": "0",
-}
+from AIPscan.models import StorageService
 
 
 def test__test_storage_service_connection(mocker):
@@ -19,7 +12,10 @@ def test__test_storage_service_connection(mocker):
     make_request.side_effect = TaskError("Bad response from server")
 
     with pytest.raises(ConnectionError):
-        _test_storage_service_connection(API_URL)
+        storage_service = StorageService(
+            "Test", "http://test-url", "test", "test", "0", "10", ""
+        )
+        _test_storage_service_connection(storage_service)
 
 
 def test_new_fetch_job_bad_connection(app_with_populated_files, mocker):
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/types.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/types.py
index d82320e1..34286839 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/types.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/types.py
@@ -91,6 +91,12 @@ def is_aip(self):
             return True
         return False
 
+    def is_undeleted_aip(self):
+        if self.is_deleted():
+            return False
+
+        return self.is_aip()
+
     def is_dip(self):
         """Determine whether the package is a DIP"""
         if (
diff --git a/AIPscan/Aggregator/views.py b/AIPscan/Aggregator/views.py
index 2f10b228..60ba7770 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Aggregator/views.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Aggregator/views.py
@@ -38,18 +38,15 @@ def _format_date(date_string):
     return formatted_date.strftime(DATE_FORMAT_PARTIAL)
 
 
-def _test_storage_service_connection(api_url):
+def _test_storage_service_connection(storage_service):
     """Test Storage Service credentials.
 
-    :param api_url: Storage Service credentials (dict)
+    :param storage_service: StorageService instance
 
     :raises ConnectionError: if credentials are invalid
     """
-    # Make a new dict instead of altering our actual credentials.
-    test_credentials = dict(api_url)
-    test_credentials["limit"] = 10
     _, request_url_without_api_key, request_url = format_api_url_with_limit_offset(
-        test_credentials
+        storage_service
     )
     try:
         _ = tasks.make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key)
@@ -162,25 +159,14 @@ def delete_storage_service(storage_service_id):
 def new_fetch_job(fetch_job_id):
     """Fetch and process AIP METS files from Storage Service."""
     storage_service = StorageService.query.get(fetch_job_id)
-    api_url = {
-        "baseUrl": storage_service.url,
-        "userName": storage_service.user_name,
-        "apiKey": storage_service.api_key,
-        "offset": str(storage_service.download_offset),
-        "limit": str(storage_service.download_limit),
-    }
 
     # Check Storage Service credentials and return 400 if invalid prior to
     # creating the Fetch Job and kicking off the Celery task.
     try:
-        _test_storage_service_connection(api_url)
+        _test_storage_service_connection(storage_service)
     except ConnectionError:
         return jsonify({}), 400
 
-    # create "downloads/" directory if it doesn't exist
-    if not os.path.exists("AIPscan/Aggregator/downloads/"):
-        os.makedirs("AIPscan/Aggregator/downloads/")
-
     # create a subdirectory for the download job using a timestamp as its name
     datetime_obj_start = datetime.now().replace(microsecond=0)
     timestamp_str = datetime_obj_start.strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S")
@@ -197,7 +183,7 @@ def new_fetch_job(fetch_job_id):
 
     # send the METS fetch job to a background job that will coordinate other workers
     task = tasks.workflow_coordinator.delay(
-        api_url, timestamp_str, storage_service.id, fetch_job.id, packages_directory
+        timestamp_str, storage_service.id, fetch_job.id, packages_directory
     )
 
     """
diff --git a/AIPscan/Reporter/views.py b/AIPscan/Reporter/views.py
index 8f9321fa..10b1816c 100644
--- a/AIPscan/Reporter/views.py
+++ b/AIPscan/Reporter/views.py
@@ -329,15 +329,9 @@ def download_mets(aip_id):
     aip = AIP.query.get(aip_id)
     storage_service = StorageService.query.get(aip.storage_service_id)
 
-    api_url = {
-        "baseUrl": storage_service.url,
-        "userName": storage_service.user_name,
-        "apiKey": storage_service.api_key,
-    }
-
     mets_response = requests.get(
         get_mets_url(
-            api_url,
+            storage_service,
             aip.uuid,
             f"{aip.transfer_name}-{aip.uuid}/data/METS.{aip.uuid}.xml",
         )
diff --git a/tools/fetch_aips b/tools/fetch_aips
index 002106b8..1213b23a 100755
--- a/tools/fetch_aips
+++ b/tools/fetch_aips
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ def main(ss_id, session_id, page, packages_per_page, logfile):
 
     package_list_no = "batch"
     with app.app_context():
-
         # Get storage service configuration
         storage_service = StorageService.query.get(ss_id)
 
@@ -77,19 +76,11 @@ def main(ss_id, session_id, page, packages_per_page, logfile):
         # Get package data
         packages = fetch.get_packages(storage_service, packages_dir)
 
-        # Determine start and end package
+        # Determine total packages and start and end package
         total_packages = len(packages["objects"])
-
-        if page is None:
-            start_item = 1
-            end_item = total_packages
-        else:
-            start_item = ((page - 1) * packages_per_page) + 1
-            end_item = start_item + packages_per_page - 1
-
-        # Describe start and end package
-        if total_packages < end_item:
-            end_item = total_packages
+        start_item, end_item = fetch.determine_start_and_end_item(
+            page, packages_per_page, total_packages
+        )
 
         # Make sure paging window is valid and delete fetch job if not
         if start_item > total_packages:
@@ -104,13 +95,10 @@ def main(ss_id, session_id, page, packages_per_page, logfile):
         )
 
         # Import packages
-        api_url = fetch.assemble_api_url_dict(storage_service)
-
         processed_packages = fetch.import_packages(
             packages,
             start_item,
             end_item,
-            api_url,
             ss_id,
             session_id,
             package_list_no,
diff --git a/tools/helpers/fetch.py b/tools/helpers/fetch.py
index e6763ad7..ff4e1732 100644
--- a/tools/helpers/fetch.py
+++ b/tools/helpers/fetch.py
@@ -1,34 +1,37 @@
 import json
 import pathlib
 
-from AIPscan.Aggregator import database_helpers
 from AIPscan.Aggregator.task_helpers import (
     format_api_url_with_limit_offset,
     get_packages_directory,
+    parse_package_list_file,
     process_package_object,
 )
-from AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks import delete_aip, get_mets, make_request
+from AIPscan.Aggregator.tasks import handle_deletion, make_request, start_mets_task
 
 
-def assemble_api_url_dict(storage_service, offset=0, limit=1_000_000):
-    return {
-        "baseUrl": storage_service.url,
-        "userName": storage_service.user_name,
-        "apiKey": storage_service.api_key,
-        "offset": offset,
-        "limit": limit,
-    }
+def determine_start_and_end_item(page, packages_per_page, total_packages):
+    if page is None:
+        start_item = 1
+        end_item = total_packages
+    else:
+        start_item = ((page - 1) * packages_per_page) + 1
+        end_item = start_item + packages_per_page - 1
+
+    # Describe start and end package
+    if total_packages < end_item:
+        end_item = total_packages
 
+    return start_item, end_item
 
-def fetch_and_write_packages(storage_service, package_filename):
-    api_url = assemble_api_url_dict(storage_service)
 
+def fetch_and_write_packages(storage_service, package_filepath):
     (_, request_url_without_api_key, request_url) = format_api_url_with_limit_offset(
-        api_url
+        storage_service
     )
 
     packages = make_request(request_url, request_url_without_api_key)
-    with open(package_filename, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+    with open(package_filepath, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         json.dump(packages, f)
 
     return packages
@@ -50,13 +53,12 @@ def create_mets_directory(timestamp_str):
 
 
 def get_packages(storage_service, packages_dir):
-    package_filename = pathlib.Path(packages_dir) / "packages.json"
+    package_filepath = pathlib.Path(packages_dir) / "packages.json"
 
-    if pathlib.Path(package_filename).is_file():
-        with open(package_filename) as f:
-            packages = json.load(f)
+    if pathlib.Path(package_filepath).is_file():
+        packages = parse_package_list_file(package_filepath, None, False)
     else:
-        packages = fetch_and_write_packages(storage_service, package_filename)
+        packages = fetch_and_write_packages(storage_service, package_filepath)
 
     return packages
 
@@ -65,7 +67,6 @@ def import_packages(
     packages,
     start_item,
     end_item,
-    api_url,
     storage_service_id,
     timestamp_str,
     package_list_no,
@@ -87,35 +88,22 @@ def import_packages(
             logger.info(f"Processing {package.uuid} ({current_item} of {end_item})")
 
             processed_packages.append(package)
+            handle_deletion(package)
 
-            if package.is_deleted():
-                delete_aip(package.uuid)
+            if not package.is_undeleted_aip():
                 continue
 
-            if not package.is_aip():
-                continue
-
-            storage_location = database_helpers.create_or_update_storage_location(
-                package.current_location, api_url, storage_service_id
-            )
-
-            pipeline = database_helpers.create_or_update_pipeline(
-                package.origin_pipeline, api_url
-            )
-
-            args = [
+            start_mets_task(
                 package.uuid,
                 package.size,
                 package.get_relative_path(),
-                api_url,
+                package.current_location,
+                package.origin_pipeline,
                 timestamp_str,
                 package_list_no,
                 storage_service_id,
-                storage_location.id,
-                pipeline.id,
                 fetch_job_id,
-                logger,
-            ]
-            get_mets.apply(args=args)
+                True,
+            )
 
     return processed_packages