diff --git a/app/helpers/service_helper.py b/app/helpers/service_helper.py
index a1dda1d..66b3fd3 100644
--- a/app/helpers/service_helper.py
+++ b/app/helpers/service_helper.py
@@ -13,24 +13,26 @@ def items_csv_to_dict(items_csv_reader):
     else:
       item = { 'attributes': [] }
 
-      for key, col in enumerate(headers):
-        if key == 0:
-          item[col] = row[key]
-        if key == 2:
-          # make sure id exists
-          if row[key]:
-            item['passage_id'] = row[key]
-        # b param - temp fix! use irt model b param for proper reference
-        elif key == (1 - len(headers)):
-          item['b_param'] = row[key]
-        elif key > 2:
-          item['attributes'].append({
-            'id': col,
-            'value': row[key],
-            'type': 'metadata'
-          })
+      # ensure that the b param is formatted correctly
+      if len(re.findall(".", row[len(headers) - 1])) >= 3:
+        for key, col in enumerate(headers):
+          if key == 0:
+            item[col] = row[key]
+          if key == 2:
+            # make sure passage id exists
+            if row[key]:
+              item['passage_id'] = row[key]
+          # b param - tmep fix! use irt model b param for proper reference
+          elif key == len(headers) - 1:
+            item['b_param'] = row[key]
+          elif key > 2 and key < len(headers) - 1:
+            item['attributes'].append({
+              'id': col,
+              'value': row[key],
+              'type': 'metadata'
+            })
 
-      items.append(item)
+        items.append(item)
 
   return items
 
diff --git a/app/services/loft_service.py b/app/services/loft_service.py
index 6700402..32c9274 100644
--- a/app/services/loft_service.py
+++ b/app/services/loft_service.py
@@ -67,7 +67,11 @@ class LoftService(Base):
       # create problem
       problem = LpProblem("ata-form-generate", LpMinimize)
 
-      # form item count constraint
+      # dummy objective function, because it just makes things easier™
+      problem += lpSum([items[item.id]
+                    for item in self.solver_run.items])
+
+      # constraints
       problem += lpSum([items[item.id]
                     for item in self.solver_run.items]) == self.solver_run.total_form_items, 'Total form items'
 
@@ -76,21 +80,15 @@ class LoftService(Base):
 
       # multi-objective functions and constraints
       for target in self.solver_run.objective_function.tif_targets:
-          tif = lpSum([item.iif(self.solver_run, target.theta)*items[item.id]
-                      for item in self.solver_run.items])
           problem += lpSum([item.iif(self.solver_run, target.theta)*items[item.id]
                          for item in self.solver_run.items]) <= target.value, f'min tif theta ({target.theta}) target value {target.value}'
-          problem_objection_functions.append(tif)
 
       for target in self.solver_run.objective_function.tcc_targets:
-          tcc = lpSum([item.irf(self.solver_run, target.theta)*items[item.id]
-                      for item in self.solver_run.items])
           problem += lpSum([item.irf(self.solver_run, target.theta)*items[item.id]
                          for item in self.solver_run.items]) <= target.value, f'min tcc theta ({target.theta}) target value {target.value}'
-          problem_objection_functions.append(tcc)
 
       # solve problem
-      problem.sequentialSolve(problem_objection_functions)
+      problem.solve()
 
       # add return items and create as a form
       form_items = service_helper.solution_items(problem.variables(), self.solver_run)