diff --git a/.coveragerc b/.coveragerc
index 398ff08a..d38fcc4a 100644
--- a/.coveragerc
+++ b/.coveragerc
@@ -1,2 +1,13 @@
 [run]
 branch = True
+omit =
+    */site-packages/*
+    */distutils/*
+    */tests/*
+    */test/*
+    */__init__.py
+    */__main__.py
+    */setup.py
+    */re_iding/*
+    */examples/*
+    */nmdc_common/*
diff --git a/badges/coverage.svg b/badges/coverage.svg
index 24c797f7..07ecfe02 100644
--- a/badges/coverage.svg
+++ b/badges/coverage.svg
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     width="92.5"
     height="20"
     role="img"
-    aria-label="coverage: 63%"
+    aria-label="coverage: 67%"
 >
     <style>
         rect {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
             fill: #010101;
         }
     </style>
-    <title>coverage: 63%</title>
+    <title>coverage: 67%</title>
     <linearGradient id="s" x2="0" y2="100%">
         <stop offset="0" stop-color="#bbb" stop-opacity=".1"/>
         <stop offset="1" stop-opacity=".1"/>
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@
         </g>
         <g transform="translate(60.0 0)">
             <rect width="32.5" fill="#dfb317"/>
-            <text x="16.25" y="10.0" class="shadow">63%</text>
-            <text x="16.25" y="10.0">63%</text>
+            <text x="16.25" y="10.0" class="shadow">67%</text>
+            <text x="16.25" y="10.0">67%</text>
         </g>
         <rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#s)"/>
     </g>
diff --git a/badges/tests.svg b/badges/tests.svg
index 1227c608..b85ca4de 100644
--- a/badges/tests.svg
+++ b/badges/tests.svg
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     width="62.5"
     height="20"
     role="img"
-    aria-label="tests: 26"
+    aria-label="tests: 95"
 >
     <style>
         rect {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
             fill: #010101;
         }
     </style>
-    <title>tests: 26</title>
+    <title>tests: 95</title>
     <linearGradient id="s" x2="0" y2="100%">
         <stop offset="0" stop-color="#bbb" stop-opacity=".1"/>
         <stop offset="1" stop-opacity=".1"/>
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@
         </g>
         <g transform="translate(37.5 0)">
             <rect width="25.0" fill="#4c1"/>
-            <text x="12.5" y="10.0" class="shadow">26</text>
-            <text x="12.5" y="10.0">26</text>
+            <text x="12.5" y="10.0" class="shadow">95</text>
+            <text x="12.5" y="10.0">95</text>
         </g>
         <rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#s)"/>
     </g>
diff --git a/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/watch_nmdc.py b/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/watch_nmdc.py
index 439479bd..f4469801 100644
--- a/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/watch_nmdc.py
+++ b/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/watch_nmdc.py
@@ -184,21 +184,47 @@ def prepare_and_cache_new_job(self, new_job: WorkflowJob, opid: str, force=False
             return new_job
 
     def get_finished_jobs(self)->Tuple[List[WorkflowJob], List[WorkflowJob]]:
-        """ Get finished jobs """
+        """
+        Get finished jobs
+        Returns a tuple of successful jobs and failed jobs
+        Jobs are considered finished if they have a last status of "Succeeded" or "Failed"
+        or if they have reached the maximum number of failures
+
+        Unfinished jobs are checked for status and updated if needed.
+        A checkpoint is saved after checking for finished jobs.
+        """
         successful_jobs = []
         failed_jobs = []
         for job in self.job_cache:
             if not job.done:
-                status = job.job_status
-                if status == "Succeeded" and job.opid:
+                if job.workflow.last_status == "Succeeded" and job.opid:
+                    successful_jobs.append(job)
+                    continue
+                if job.workflow.last_status == "Failed" and job.workflow.failed_count >= self._MAX_FAILS:
+                    failed_jobs.append(job)
+                    continue
+                # check status
+                status = job.job.get_job_status()
+
+                if status == "Succeded":
+                    job.workflow.last_status = status
                     successful_jobs.append(job)
-                elif status == "Failed" and job.opid:
+                    continue
+                elif status == "Failed":
+                    job.workflow.last_status = status
+                    job.workflow.failed_count += 1
                     failed_jobs.append(job)
+                    continue
+                else:
+                    job.workflow.last_status = status
+                    logger.debug(f"Job {job.opid} status: {status}")
+        self.save_checkpoint()
+
         if successful_jobs:
             logger.info(f"Found {len(successful_jobs)} successful jobs.")
         if failed_jobs:
             logger.info(f"Found {len(failed_jobs)} failed jobs.")
-        return (successful_jobs, failed_jobs)
+        return successful_jobs, failed_jobs
 
     def process_successful_job(self, job: WorkflowJob) -> Database:
         """ Process a successful job and return a Database object """
@@ -242,7 +268,7 @@ def process_successful_job(self, job: WorkflowJob) -> Database:
         self.save_checkpoint()
         return database
 
-    def process_failed_job(self, job: WorkflowJob) -> None:
+    def process_failed_job(self, job: WorkflowJob) -> Optional[str]:
         """ Process a failed job """
         if job.workflow.state.get("failed_count", 0) >= self._MAX_FAILS:
             logger.error(f"Job {job.opid} failed {self._MAX_FAILS} times. Skipping.")
@@ -252,8 +278,9 @@ def process_failed_job(self, job: WorkflowJob) -> None:
         job.workflow.state["failed_count"] = job.workflow.state.get("failed_count", 0) + 1
         job.workflow.state["last_status"] = job.job_status
         self.save_checkpoint()
-        logger.error(f"Job {job.opid} failed {job.workflow.state['failed_count']} times. Retrying.")
-        job.job.submit_job()
+        logger.warning(f"Job {job.opid} failed {job.workflow.state['failed_count']} times. Retrying.")
+        jobid = job.job.submit_job()
+        return jobid
 
 
 class RuntimeApiHandler:
@@ -292,7 +319,7 @@ def update_operation(self, opid, done, meta):
 class Watcher:
     """ Watcher class for monitoring and managing jobs """
     def __init__(self, site_configuration_file: Union[str, Path],  state_file: Union[str, Path] = None):
-        self._POLL = 20
+        self._POLL_INTERVAL_SEC = 60
         self._MAX_FAILS = 2
         self.should_skip_claim = False
         self.config = SiteConfig(site_configuration_file)
@@ -313,16 +340,19 @@ def restore_from_checkpoint(self, state_data: Dict[str, Any] = None)-> None:
     def cycle(self):
         """ Perform a cycle of watching for unclaimed jobs, claiming jobs,  and processing finished jobs """
         self.restore_from_checkpoint()
-        if not self.should_skip_claim:
-            unclaimed_jobs = self.runtime_api_handler.get_unclaimed_jobs(self.config.allowed_workflows)
+        # if not self.should_skip_claim: - is this actually used?
+        unclaimed_jobs = self.runtime_api_handler.get_unclaimed_jobs(self.config.allowed_workflows)
+        if unclaimed_jobs:
             logger.info(f"Found {len(unclaimed_jobs)} unclaimed jobs.")
-            self.claim_jobs(unclaimed_jobs)
+        self.claim_jobs(unclaimed_jobs)
 
 
-        logger.info(f"Checking for finished jobs.")
+        logger.debug(f"Checking for finished jobs.")
         successful_jobs, failed_jobs = self.job_manager.get_finished_jobs()
-        logger.debug(f"Found {len(successful_jobs)} successful jobs and {len(failed_jobs)} failed jobs.")
+        if not successful_jobs and not failed_jobs:
+            logger.debug("No finished jobs found.")
         for job in successful_jobs:
+            logger.info(f"Processing successful job: {job.opid}, {job.workflow_execution_id}")
             job_database = self.job_manager.process_successful_job(job)
             # sanity checks
             if not job_database.data_object_set:
@@ -349,9 +379,10 @@ def cycle(self):
             resp = self.runtime_api_handler.update_operation(
                 job.opid, done=True, meta=job.job.metadata
             )
-            logging.info(f"Updated operation {job.opid} response id: {resp}")
+            logging.info(f"Updated operation {job.opid} response id: {resp['id']}")
 
         for job in failed_jobs:
+            logger.info(f"Processing failed job: {job.opid}, {job.workflow_execution_id}")
             self.job_manager.process_failed_job(job)
 
     def watch(self):
@@ -359,10 +390,11 @@ def watch(self):
         logger.info("Entering polling loop")
         while True:
             try:
+                print(".")
                 self.cycle()
             except (IOError, ValueError, TypeError, AttributeError) as e:
                 logger.exception(f"Error occurred during cycle: {e}", exc_info=True)
-            sleep(self._POLL)
+            sleep(self._POLL_INTERVAL_SEC)
 
     def claim_jobs(self, unclaimed_jobs: List[WorkflowJob] = None) -> None:
         """ Claim unclaimed jobs, prepare them, and submit them. Write a checkpoint after claiming jobs. """
diff --git a/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/wfutils.py b/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/wfutils.py
index 4f4d5bcc..c63b1847 100755
--- a/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/wfutils.py
+++ b/nmdc_automation/workflow_automation/wfutils.py
@@ -70,11 +70,11 @@ class CromwellRunner(JobRunnerABC):
     """Job runner for Cromwell"""
     LABEL_SUBMITTER_VALUE = "nmdcda"
     LABEL_PARAMETERS = ["release", "wdl", "git_repo"]
-    NO_SUBMIT_STATES = ["Submitted",  # job is already submitted but not running
+    # States that indicate a job is in some active state and does not need to be submitted
+    NO_SUBMIT_STATES = [
+        "Submitted",  # job is already submitted but not running
         "Running",  # job is already running
-        "Failed",  # job failed
         "Succeeded",  # job succeeded
-        "Aborted",  # job was aborted and did not finish
         "Aborting"  # job is in the process of being aborted
         "On Hold",  # job is on hold and not running. It can be manually resumed later
     ]
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def submit_job(self, force: bool = False) -> Optional[str]:
         :param force: if True, submit the job even if it is in a state that does not require submission
         :return: the job id
         """
-        status = self.get_job_status()
+        status = self.workflow.last_status
         if status in self.NO_SUBMIT_STATES and not force:
             logging.info(f"Job {self.job_id} in state {status}, skipping submission")
             return
@@ -270,6 +270,18 @@ def config(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     def last_status(self) -> Optional[str]:
         return self.cached_state.get("last_status", None)
 
+    @last_status.setter
+    def last_status(self, status: str):
+        self.cached_state["last_status"] = status
+
+    @property
+    def failed_count(self) -> int:
+        return self.cached_state.get("failed_count", 0)
+
+    @failed_count.setter
+    def failed_count(self, count: int):
+        self.cached_state["failed_count"] = count
+
     @property
     def nmdc_jobid(self) -> Optional[str]:
         return self.cached_state.get("nmdc_jobid", None)
diff --git a/pytest.xml b/pytest.xml
index d4d6c35d..aa997e1b 100644
--- a/pytest.xml
+++ b/pytest.xml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><testsuites><testsuite name="pytest" errors="0" failures="0" skipped="0" tests="26" time="8.702" timestamp="2023-12-08T13:12:40.849708" hostname="MBThornton-M92.local"><testcase classname="tests.test_activities" name="test_activies" time="0.040" /><testcase classname="tests.test_config" name="test_config" time="0.048" /><testcase classname="tests.test_config" name="test_config_missing" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_activity_mapper" time="0.081" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_unique_object_mapper" time="0.068" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_multiple_object_mapper" time="0.067" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_basics" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_objects" time="0.009" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_list_funcs" time="0.005" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_update_op" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_jobs" time="0.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_submit" time="0.041" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_progress" time="0.176" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_multiple_versions" time="0.196" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_watcher" time="0.048" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_claim_jobs" time="1.074" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_reclaim_job" time="0.847" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_job" time="0.987" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_log" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_check_meta" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_set_state" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_access_token" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_check_access_token" time="1.009" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_check_access_token_invalid" time="1.011" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_sequence_id" time="2.020" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_analysis_projects_from_proposal_id" time="0.014" /></testsuite></testsuites>
\ No newline at end of file
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><testsuites><testsuite name="pytest" errors="0" failures="0" skipped="0" tests="95" time="15.756" timestamp="2024-11-26T12:32:34.300291" hostname="MBThornton-M92.local"><testcase classname="tests.test_config" name="test_config" time="0.046" /><testcase classname="tests.test_config" name="test_config_missing" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_gold_mapper_map_sequencing_data" time="0.061" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_gold_mapper_map_data_unique" time="0.061" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_gold_mapper_map_data_multiple" time="0.059" /><testcase classname="tests.test_imports" name="test_gold_mapper_map_workflow_executions" time="5.532" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_factory" time="0.005" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_factory_incorrect_id" time="1.213" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_factory_data_generation_invalid_analyte_category" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_factory_metagenome_assembly_with_invalid_execution_resource" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_factory_mags_with_mags_list" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_process_factory_with_db_record" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[mags_analysis_record.json-nmdc:MagsAnalysis]" time="0.008" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[metagenome_annotation_record.json-nmdc:MetagenomeAnnotation]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[metagenome_assembly_record.json-nmdc:MetagenomeAssembly]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[metatranscriptome_annotation_record.json-nmdc:MetatranscriptomeAnnotation]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[metatranscriptome_assembly_record.json-nmdc:MetatranscriptomeAssembly]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[metatranscriptome_expression_analysis_record.json-nmdc:MetatranscriptomeExpressionAnalysis]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[nucleotide_sequencing_record.json-nmdc:NucleotideSequencing]" time="0.071" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[read_based_taxonomy_analysis_record.json-nmdc:ReadBasedTaxonomyAnalysis]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_workflow_process_node[read_qc_analysis_record.json-nmdc:ReadQcAnalysis]" time="0.007" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_data_object_creation_from_records" time="0.145" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_data_object_creation_from_db_records" time="0.165" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_data_object_creation_invalid_data_object_type" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_data_object_creation_invalid_data_category" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_job_output_creation" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_models" name="test_job_creation" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_basics" time="0.013" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_objects" time="0.012" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_list_funcs" time="0.006" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_update_op" time="0.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_nmdcapi" name="test_jobs" time="0.006" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_scheduler_cycle[workflows.yaml]" time="0.042" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_scheduler_cycle[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.047" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_progress[workflows.yaml]" time="0.321" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_progress[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.193" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_multiple_versions" time="0.183" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_out_of_range" time="0.083" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_type_resolving" time="0.107" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_scheduler_add_job_rec[workflows.yaml]" time="0.011" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_scheduler_add_job_rec[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.009" /><testcase classname="tests.test_sched" name="test_scheduler_find_new_jobs" time="0.073" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_init_from_state_file" time="0.006" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_init_from_config_agent_state" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_init_default_state" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_read_state" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_write_state" time="0.005" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_get_output_path" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_file_handler_write_metadata_if_not_exists" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_init" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_restore_from_state" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_job_checkpoint" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_save_checkpoint" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_find_job_by_opid" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job_force" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_process_successful_job" time="0.327" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs_1_failure" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_process_failed_job_1_failure" time="0.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_job_manager_process_failed_job_2_failures" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_claim_jobs" time="2.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_runtime_manager_get_unclaimed_jobs" time="0.047" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_reclaim_job" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_watch_nmdc" name="test_watcher_restore_from_checkpoint" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_job" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_job_runner" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_job_runner_get_job_status" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_job_runner_get_job_metadata" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_job_as_workflow_execution_dict" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_state_manager" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_manager_fetch_release_file_success" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_manager_fetch_release_file_failed_download" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_manager_fetch_release_file_failed_write" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_runner_setup_inputs_and_labels" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_runner_generate_submission_files" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_runner_generate_submission_files_exception" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_cromwell_job_runner_submit_job_new_job" time="0.002" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_job_data_objects_and_execution_record_mags" time="0.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_wfutils" name="test_workflow_job_from_database_job_record" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflow_process_nodes[workflows.yaml]" time="0.025" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflow_process_nodes[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.026" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflow_process_nodes_with_obsolete_versions" time="0.017" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_resolve_relationships" time="0.019" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflow_process_nodes_does_not_load_metagenome_sequencing" time="0.014" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflows[workflows.yaml]" time="0.004" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_load_workflows[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.003" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_get_required_data_objects_by_id[workflows.yaml]" time="0.012" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_get_required_data_objects_by_id[workflows-mt.yaml]" time="0.013" /><testcase classname="tests.test_workflow_process" name="test_within_range" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_access_token" time="0.001" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_check_access_token" time="1.009" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_check_access_token_invalid" time="1.009" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_sequence_id" time="2.017" /><testcase classname="tests.test_jgi_file_staging.test_file_metadata" name="test_get_analysis_projects_from_proposal_id" time="0.034" /></testsuite></testsuites>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index b14164d5..8a0187c4 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -123,10 +123,10 @@ def site_config(site_config_file):
     return SiteConfig(site_config_file)
 
 @fixture
-def initial_state_file(fixtures_dir, tmp_path):
-    state_file = fixtures_dir / "initial_state.json"
+def initial_state_file_1_failure(fixtures_dir, tmp_path):
+    state_file = fixtures_dir / "agent_state_1_failure.json"
     # make a working copy in tmp_path
-    copied_state_file = tmp_path / "initial_state.json"
+    copied_state_file = tmp_path / "agent_state_1_failure.json"
     shutil.copy(state_file, copied_state_file)
     return copied_state_file
 
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/initial_state.json b/tests/fixtures/agent_state_1_failure.json
similarity index 99%
rename from tests/fixtures/initial_state.json
rename to tests/fixtures/agent_state_1_failure.json
index aa7dfc62..a56e1cba 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/initial_state.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/agent_state_1_failure.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "jobs": [
     {
-        "type": "MAGs: v1.3.10",
+        "type": "MAGs: v1.3.12",
         "cromwell_jobid": "9492a397-eb30-472b-9d3b-abc123456789",
         "nmdc_jobid": "nmdc:66cf64b6-7462-11ef-8b84-abc123456789",
         "conf": {
             "git_repo": "https://github.com/microbiomedata/metaMAGs",
-            "release": "v1.3.10",
+            "release": "v1.3.12",
             "wdl": "mbin_nmdc.wdl",
             "activity_id": "nmdc:wfmag-11-g7msr323.1",
             "activity_set": "mags_activity_set",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/failed_job_state.json b/tests/fixtures/failed_job_state_2.json
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/failed_job_state.json
rename to tests/fixtures/failed_job_state_2.json
diff --git a/tests/test_watch_nmdc.py b/tests/test_watch_nmdc.py
index 902bb2ee..34f36261 100644
--- a/tests/test_watch_nmdc.py
+++ b/tests/test_watch_nmdc.py
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@
 
 
 # FileHandler init tests
-def test_file_handler_init_from_state_file(site_config, initial_state_file, tmp_path):
+def test_file_handler_init_from_state_file(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, tmp_path):
     copy_state_file = tmp_path / "copy_state.json"
-    shutil.copy(initial_state_file, copy_state_file)
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    shutil.copy(initial_state_file_1_failure, copy_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     assert fh
     assert fh.state_file
     assert isinstance(fh.state_file, PosixPath)
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def test_file_handler_init_from_state_file(site_config, initial_state_file, tmp_
     assert not fh.state_file
 
     # test setter
-    fh.state_file = initial_state_file
+    fh.state_file = initial_state_file_1_failure
     assert fh.state_file
     assert fh.state_file.exists()
     assert fh.state_file.is_file()
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ def test_file_handler_init_from_state_file(site_config, initial_state_file, tmp_
     assert fh.state_file.is_file()
 
 
-def test_file_handler_init_from_config_agent_state(site_config, initial_state_file, tmp_path):
+def test_file_handler_init_from_config_agent_state(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, tmp_path):
     with patch("nmdc_automation.config.siteconfig.SiteConfig.agent_state", new_callable=PropertyMock) as mock_agent_state:
-        mock_agent_state.return_value = initial_state_file
+        mock_agent_state.return_value = initial_state_file_1_failure
         fh = FileHandler(site_config)
         assert fh
         assert fh.state_file
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ def test_file_handler_init_default_state(site_config):
     assert fh2.state_file.exists()
 
 
-def test_file_handler_read_state(site_config, initial_state_file):
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+def test_file_handler_read_state(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     state = fh.read_state()
     assert state
     assert isinstance(state, dict)
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ def test_file_handler_read_state(site_config, initial_state_file):
     assert len(state.get("jobs")) == 1
 
 
-def test_file_handler_write_state(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+def test_file_handler_write_state(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     state = fh.read_state()
     assert state
     # add new job
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def test_file_handler_write_state(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir)
     fh.write_state(state)
 
 
-def test_file_handler_get_output_path(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_file_handler_get_output_path(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # Arrange
     was_informed_by = "nmdc:1234"
     workflow_execution_id = "nmdc:56789"
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def test_file_handler_get_output_path(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_
 
     expected_output_path = site_config.data_dir / Path(was_informed_by) / Path(workflow_execution_id)
 
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
 
     # Act
     output_path = fh.get_output_path(mock_job)
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def test_file_handler_get_output_path(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_
     assert output_path == expected_output_path
 
 
-def test_file_handler_write_metadata_if_not_exists(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir, tmp_path):
+def test_file_handler_write_metadata_if_not_exists(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir, tmp_path):
     # Arrange
     was_informed_by = "nmdc:1234"
     workflow_execution_id = "nmdc:56789"
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def test_file_handler_write_metadata_if_not_exists(site_config, initial_state_fi
     # patch config.data_dir
     with patch("nmdc_automation.config.siteconfig.SiteConfig.data_dir", new_callable=PropertyMock) as mock_data_dir:
         mock_data_dir.return_value = tmp_path
-        fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+        fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
 
         # Act
         metadata_path = fh.write_metadata_if_not_exists(mock_job)
@@ -153,18 +153,18 @@ def test_file_handler_write_metadata_if_not_exists(site_config, initial_state_fi
 
 
 # JobManager tests
-def test_job_manager_init(site_config, initial_state_file):
+def test_job_manager_init(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     assert jm
     assert jm.file_handler
     assert jm.file_handler.state_file
 
 
-def test_job_manager_restore_from_state(site_config, initial_state_file):
+def test_job_manager_restore_from_state(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh, init_cache=False)
     # Act
     jm.restore_from_state()
@@ -174,10 +174,14 @@ def test_job_manager_restore_from_state(site_config, initial_state_file):
     assert len(jm.job_cache) == 1
     assert isinstance(jm.job_cache[0], WorkflowJob)
 
+    # job has been cached - get new workflow jobs from state should not return any
+    new_jobs = jm.get_new_workflow_jobs_from_state()
+    assert not new_jobs
 
-def test_job_manager_job_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file):
+
+def test_job_manager_job_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     # Act
     data = jm.job_checkpoint()
@@ -189,9 +193,9 @@ def test_job_manager_job_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file):
     assert len(data.get("jobs")) == 1
 
 
-def test_job_manager_save_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file):
+def test_job_manager_save_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     # Act
     jm.save_checkpoint()
@@ -202,9 +206,9 @@ def test_job_manager_save_checkpoint(site_config, initial_state_file):
     # cleanup
     fh.state_file.unlink()
 
-def test_job_manager_find_job_by_opid(site_config, initial_state_file):
+def test_job_manager_find_job_by_opid(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     # Act
     job = jm.find_job_by_opid("nmdc:test-opid")
@@ -215,9 +219,9 @@ def test_job_manager_find_job_by_opid(site_config, initial_state_file):
     assert not job.done
 
 
-def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     new_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "new_state_job.json"))
     assert new_job_state
@@ -234,9 +238,9 @@ def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job(site_config, initial_state_file,
     jm.job_cache = []
 
 
-def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job_force(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job_force(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
     #already has an opid
     new_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "mags_workflow_state.json"))
@@ -261,12 +265,10 @@ def test_job_manager_prepare_and_cache_new_job_force(site_config, initial_state_
     assert job2.opid == opid
 
 
-
-
-def test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
 
     # Arrange - initial state has 1 failure and is not done
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
 
     # Add a finished job: finished job is not done, but has a last_status of Succeeded
@@ -278,7 +280,7 @@ def test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures
     assert len(jm.job_cache) == 2
 
     # add a failed job
-    failed_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "failed_job_state.json"))
+    failed_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "failed_job_state_2.json"))
     assert failed_job_state
     failed_job = WorkflowJob(site_config, failed_job_state)
     assert failed_job.job_status == "Failed"
@@ -308,16 +310,14 @@ def test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures
     jm.job_cache = []
 
 
-def test_job_manager_process_successful_job(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_job_manager_process_successful_job(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # mock job.job.get_job_metadata - use fixture cromwell/succeded_metadata.json
     job_metadata = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "mags_job_metadata.json"))
     with patch("nmdc_automation.workflow_automation.wfutils.CromwellRunner.get_job_metadata") as mock_get_metadata:
         mock_get_metadata.return_value = job_metadata
 
-
-
         # Arrange
-        fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+        fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
         jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
         new_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "mags_workflow_state.json"))
         assert new_job_state
@@ -334,11 +334,51 @@ def test_job_manager_process_successful_job(site_config, initial_state_file, fix
         jm.job_cache = []
 
 
-def test_job_manager_process_failed_job(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_job_manager_get_finished_jobs_1_failure(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # Arrange
-    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file)
+    with requests_mock.Mocker() as mocker:
+        # Mock the GET request for the workflow status
+        mocker.get(
+            "http://localhost:8088/api/workflows/v1/9492a397-eb30-472b-9d3b-abc123456789/status",
+            json={"status": "Failed"}  # Mocked response body
+        )
+        fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
+        jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
+        # job handler should initialize the job_cache from the state file by default
+        assert jm.job_cache
+        assert isinstance(jm.job_cache, list)
+        assert len(jm.job_cache) == 1
+
+        successful_jobs, failed_jobs = jm.get_finished_jobs()
+        assert not successful_jobs
+        assert failed_jobs
+        failed_job = failed_jobs[0]
+        assert failed_job.job_status == "Failed"
+
+@mock.patch("nmdc_automation.workflow_automation.wfutils.CromwellRunner.generate_submission_files")
+def test_job_manager_process_failed_job_1_failure(
+        mock_generate_submission_files, site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, mock_cromwell_api):
+    # Arrange
+    mock_generate_submission_files.return_value = {
+        "workflowSource": "workflowSource",
+        "workflowDependencies": "workflowDependencies",
+        "workflowInputs": "workflowInputs",
+        "labels": "labels"
+    }
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
     jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
-    failed_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "failed_job_state.json"))
+    failed_job = jm.job_cache[0]
+    # Act
+    jobid = jm.process_failed_job(failed_job)
+    assert jobid
+
+
+
+def test_job_manager_process_failed_job_2_failures(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
+    # Arrange
+    fh = FileHandler(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure)
+    jm = JobManager(site_config, fh)
+    failed_job_state = json.load(open(fixtures_dir / "failed_job_state_2.json"))
     assert failed_job_state
     failed_job = WorkflowJob(site_config, failed_job_state)
     jm.job_cache.append(failed_job)
@@ -346,6 +386,7 @@ def test_job_manager_process_failed_job(site_config, initial_state_file, fixture
     jm.process_failed_job(failed_job)
     # Assert
     assert failed_job.done
+    assert failed_job.job_status == "Failed"
 
 
 @fixture
@@ -376,7 +417,7 @@ def test_claim_jobs(mock_submit, site_config_file, site_config, fixtures_dir):
         assert unclaimed_wfj.job_status
 
 
-def test_runtime_manager_get_unclaimed_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file, fixtures_dir):
+def test_runtime_manager_get_unclaimed_jobs(site_config, initial_state_file_1_failure, fixtures_dir):
     # Arrange
     rt = RuntimeApiHandler(site_config)
     # Act
diff --git a/tests/test_wfutils.py b/tests/test_wfutils.py
index 37ed404a..ca9509a3 100644
--- a/tests/test_wfutils.py
+++ b/tests/test_wfutils.py
@@ -271,7 +271,8 @@ def test_cromwell_job_runner_submit_job_new_job(mock_generate_submission_files,
 
     wf_state_manager = WorkflowStateManager(wf_state)
     job_runner = CromwellRunner(site_config, wf_state_manager)
-    job_runner.submit_job()
+    jobid = job_runner.submit_job()
+    assert jobid
 
 
 def test_workflow_job_data_objects_and_execution_record_mags(site_config, fixtures_dir, tmp_path):