diff --git a/.github/workflows/pre-commit.yaml b/.github/workflows/pre-commit.yaml
index 2eb93db1..ed323cbb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pre-commit.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pre-commit.yaml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: 3.8
+        python-version: 3.10
     - run: pip install pre-commit
     - run: pre-commit install
     - run: pre-commit run --all-files
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index dd60a230..0ec1b3ed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11']
+        python-version: ['3.10', '3.11']
         os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest, windows-latest]
     defaults:
       run:
diff --git a/neps/api.py b/neps/api.py
index 0c6e2f0c..d717a7cb 100644
--- a/neps/api.py
+++ b/neps/api.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def run(
         root_directory: The directory to save progress to. This is also used to
             synchronize multiple calls to run(.) for parallelization.
         run_args: An option for providing the optimization settings e.g.
-            max_evaluation_total in a YAML file.
+            max_evaluations_total in a YAML file.
         overwrite_working_directory: If true, delete the working directory at the start of
             the run. This is, e.g., useful when debugging a run_pipeline function.
         post_run_summary: If True, creates a csv file after each worker is done,
diff --git a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_ei.py b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_ei.py
index 8e74b338..5139d4b4 100644
--- a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_ei.py
+++ b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_ei.py
@@ -132,13 +132,13 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
 
                 if np.less_equal(target_fidelity, config.fidelity.upper):
                     # only consider the configs with fidelity lower than the max fidelity
-                    config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                    config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                     budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
                 else:
                     # if the target_fidelity higher than the max drop the configuration
                     indices_to_drop.append(i)
             else:
-                config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                 budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
 
         # Drop unused configs
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
                 # if the target_fidelity already reached, drop the configuration
                 indices_to_drop.append(i)
             else:
-                config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                 budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
 
         # drop unused configs
@@ -308,23 +308,11 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
         ## marker 2: the maximum fidelity value recorded in observation history
         pseudo_z_max = self.b_step * pseudo_z_level_max + self.pipeline_space.fidelity.lower
 
-        # TODO: compare with this first draft logic
-        # def update_fidelity(config):
-        #     ### DO NOT DELETE THIS FUNCTION YET
-        #     # for all configs, set the min(max(current fidelity + step, z_inc), pseudo_z_max)
-        #     ## that is, choose the next highest marker from 1 and 2
-        #     z_extrapolate = min(
-        #         max(config.fidelity.value + self.b_step, z_inc),
-        #         pseudo_z_max
-        #     )
-        #     config.fidelity.value = z_extrapolate
-        #     return config
-
         def update_fidelity(config):
             # for all configs, set to pseudo_z_max
             ## that is, choose the highest seen fidelity in observation history
             z_extrapolate = pseudo_z_max
-            config.fidelity.value = z_extrapolate
+            config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: z_extrapolate})
             return config
 
         # collect IDs for partial configurations
@@ -437,12 +425,15 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
                 else:
                     # a candidate partial training run to continue
                     target_fidelity = config.fidelity.value + horizon
-                    config.fidelity.value = min(config.fidelity.value + horizon, config.fidelity.upper) # if horizon exceeds max, query at max
+                    # if horizon exceeds max, query at max
+                    config.uppdate_hp_values({
+                        config.fidelity_name: min(target_fidelity, config.fidelity.upper)
+                    })
                     inc_list.append(inc_value)
             else:
                 # a candidate new training run that we would need to start
                 current_fidelity = 0
-                config.fidelity.value = horizon
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: horizon})
                 inc_list.append(inc_value)
             #print(f"- {x.index.values[i]}: {current_fidelity} --> {config.fidelity.value}")
 
diff --git a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_pi.py b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_pi.py
index cc3804f5..e64ea2e3 100644
--- a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_pi.py
+++ b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_functions/mf_pi.py
@@ -68,13 +68,13 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
 
                 if np.less_equal(target_fidelity, config.fidelity.upper):
                     # only consider the configs with fidelity lower than the max fidelity
-                    config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                    config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                     budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
                 else:
                     # if the target_fidelity higher than the max drop the configuration
                     indices_to_drop.append(i)
             else:
-                config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                 budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
 
         # Drop unused configs
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
                 # if the target_fidelity already reached, drop the configuration
                 indices_to_drop.append(i)
             else:
-                config.fidelity.value = target_fidelity
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: target_fidelity})
                 budget_list.append(self.get_budget_level(config))
 
         # drop unused configs
@@ -214,23 +214,11 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
         ## marker 2: the maximum fidelity value recorded in observation history
         pseudo_z_max = self.b_step * pseudo_z_level_max + self.pipeline_space.fidelity.lower
 
-        # TODO: compare with this first draft logic
-        # def update_fidelity(config):
-        #     ### DO NOT DELETE THIS FUNCTION YET
-        #     # for all configs, set the min(max(current fidelity + step, z_inc), pseudo_z_max)
-        #     ## that is, choose the next highest marker from 1 and 2
-        #     z_extrapolate = min(
-        #         max(config.fidelity.value + self.b_step, z_inc),
-        #         pseudo_z_max
-        #     )
-        #     config.fidelity.value = z_extrapolate
-        #     return config
-
         def update_fidelity(config):
             # for all configs, set to pseudo_z_max
             ## that is, choose the highest seen fidelity in observation history
             z_extrapolate = pseudo_z_max
-            config.fidelity.value = z_extrapolate
+            config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: z_extrapolate})
             return config
 
         # collect IDs for partial configurations
@@ -345,12 +333,16 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
                 else:
                     # a candidate partial training run to continue
                     target_fidelity = config.fidelity.value + horizon
-                    config.fidelity.value = min(config.fidelity.value + horizon, config.fidelity.upper) # if horizon exceeds max, query at max
+                    config.update_hp_values({
+                        config.fidelity_name: min(
+                            config.fidelity.value + horizon, config.fidelity.upper
+                        )  # if horizon exceeds max, query at max
+                    }) 
                     inc_list.append(inc_value)
             else:
                 # a candidate new training run that we would need to start
                 current_fidelity = 0
-                config.fidelity.value = horizon
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: horizon})
                 inc_list.append(inc_value)
             #print(f"- {x.index.values[i]}: {current_fidelity} --> {config.fidelity.value}")
 
@@ -430,12 +422,14 @@ def preprocess(self, x: pd.Series) -> Tuple[pd.Series, torch.Tensor]:
                     # a candidate partial training run to continue
                     target_fidelity = config.fidelity.value + horizon
                     # if horizon exceeds max, query at max
-                    config.fidelity.value = min(config.fidelity.value + horizon, config.fidelity.upper)
+                    config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: min(
+                        config.fidelity.value + horizon, config.fidelity.upper
+                    )})
                     inc_list.append(inc_value)
             else:
                 # a candidate new training run that we would need to start
                 current_fidelity = 0
-                config.fidelity.value = horizon
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: horizon})
                 inc_list.append(inc_value)
             #print(f"- {x.index.values[i]}: {current_fidelity} --> {config.fidelity.value}")
 
diff --git a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_samplers/freeze_thaw_sampler.py b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_samplers/freeze_thaw_sampler.py
index ceb34d5e..70c7a245 100644
--- a/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_samplers/freeze_thaw_sampler.py
+++ b/neps/optimizers/bayesian_optimization/acquisition_samplers/freeze_thaw_sampler.py
@@ -106,11 +106,7 @@ def sample(
         set_new_sample_fidelity: int | float = None,
     ) -> list():
         """Samples a new set and returns the total set of observed + new configs."""
-        start = time.time()
         partial_configs = self.observations.get_partial_configs_at_max_seen()
-        # print("-" * 50)
-        # print(f"| freeze-thaw:get_partial_at_max_seen(): {time.time()-start:.2f}s")
-        # print("-" * 50)
 
         _n = n if n is not None else self.SAMPLES_TO_DRAW
         if self.is_tabular:
@@ -123,7 +119,6 @@ def sample(
             max_n = len(_all_ids) + 1 if self.sample_full_table else _n
             _n = min(max_n, len(_all_ids - _partial_ids))
 
-            start = time.time()
             _new_configs = np.random.choice(
                 list(_all_ids - _partial_ids), size=_n, replace=False
             )
@@ -134,9 +129,6 @@ def sample(
             for _i, val in enumerate(_new_configs):
                 _configs[_i]["id"].value = val
 
-            # print("-" * 50)
-            # print(f"| freeze-thaw:sample:new_configs_extraction: {time.time()-start:.2f}s")
-            # print("-" * 50)
             new_configs = pd.Series(
                 _configs,
                 index=np.arange(
@@ -157,19 +149,11 @@ def sample(
             )
 
         # Updating fidelity values
-        start = time.time()
         if set_new_sample_fidelity is not None:
             for config in new_configs:
-                config.fidelity.value = set_new_sample_fidelity
-        # print("-" * 50)
-        # print(f"| freeze-thaw:sample:new_configs_set_fidelity: {time.time()-start:.2f}s")
-        # print("-" * 50)
+                config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: set_new_sample_fidelity})
 
-        start = time.time()
         configs = pd.concat([deepcopy(partial_configs), new_configs])
-        # print("-" * 50)
-        # print(f"| freeze-thaw:sample:concat_configs: {time.time()-start:.2f}s")
-        # print("-" * 50)
 
         return configs
 
diff --git a/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/dyhpo.py b/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/dyhpo.py
index adda097f..db8de242 100755
--- a/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/dyhpo.py
+++ b/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/dyhpo.py
@@ -290,13 +290,9 @@ def num_train_configs(self):
     def load_optimization_state(
         self,
         previous_results: dict[str, ConfigResult],
-<<<<<<< HEAD
         pending_evaluations: dict[str, ConfigResult],
-=======
-        pending_evaluations: dict[str, SearchSpace],
         budget_info: BudgetInfo | None,
         optimizer_state: dict[str, Any],
->>>>>>> master
     ) -> None:
         """This is basically the fit method.
 
@@ -411,7 +407,7 @@ def _randomly_promote(self) -> tuple[SearchSpace, int]:
         # calculating fidelity value
         new_fidelity = self.get_budget_value(budget + 1)
         # setting the config fidelity
-        config.fidelity.value = new_fidelity
+        config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: new_fidelity})
         return config, _config_id
 
     def get_config_and_ids(  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
@@ -433,7 +429,6 @@ def get_config_and_ids(  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
             _config_dict = config.hp_values()
             _config_dict.update({config.fidelity_name: self.min_budget})
             config.set_hyperparameters_from_dict(_config_dict)
-            # config.fidelity.value = self.min_budget
             _config_id = self.observed_configs.next_config_id()
         elif self.is_init_phase() or self._model_update_failed:
             # promote a config randomly if initial design size is satisfied but the
@@ -498,7 +493,7 @@ def get_config_and_ids(  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
             config = samples.loc[_config_id]
             # IMPORTANT: setting the fidelity value appropriately
 
-            config.fidelity.value = (
+            _fid_value = (
                 config.fidelity.lower
                 if best_idx > max(self.observed_configs.seen_config_ids)
                 else (
@@ -507,6 +502,7 @@ def get_config_and_ids(  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
                      ) + self.step_size  # ONE-STEP FIDELITY QUERY
                 )
             )
+            config.update_hp_values({config.fidelity_name: _fid_value})
         # generating correct IDs
         if _config_id in self.observed_configs.seen_config_ids:
             config_id = f"{_config_id}_{self.get_budget_level(config)}"
diff --git a/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/utils.py b/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/utils.py
index 9568b63b..aa6c579c 100644
--- a/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/utils.py
+++ b/neps/optimizers/multi_fidelity/utils.py
@@ -277,7 +277,6 @@ def extract_learning_curve(
     def get_training_data_4DyHPO(
         self, df: pd.DataFrame, pipeline_space: SearchSpace | None = None
     ):
-        start = time.time()
         configs = []
         learning_curves = []
         performance = []
@@ -292,9 +291,6 @@ def get_training_data_4DyHPO(
                 configs.append(row[self.config_col])
             performance.append(row[self.perf_col])
             learning_curves.append(self.extract_learning_curve(config_id, budget_id))
-        # print("-" * 50)
-        # print(f"| Time for `get_training_data_4DyHPO()`: {time.time()-start:.2f}s")
-        # print("-" * 50)
         return configs, learning_curves, performance
 
     def get_best_performance_per_config(self, maximize: bool = False) -> pd.Series:
diff --git a/neps/search_spaces/search_space.py b/neps/search_spaces/search_space.py
index 7a6f776e..a819c704 100644
--- a/neps/search_spaces/search_space.py
+++ b/neps/search_spaces/search_space.py
@@ -885,3 +885,17 @@ def is_equal_value(
                 return False
 
         return True
+
+    def update_hp_values(self, new_values: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        """Update the hyperparameter values with new values.
+
+        Args:
+            new_values: The new values to set for the hyperparameters.
+        """
+        _hp_dict = self.hp_values()
+        _intersect = set(_hp_dict.keys()) & set(new_values.keys())
+        assert len(_intersect) == len(new_values), \
+            "All hyperparameters must be present! "\
+            f"{set(_hp_dict.keys()) - set(new_values.keys())} are missing"
+        _hp_dict.update(new_values)
+        self.set_hyperparameters_from_dict(_hp_dict)
diff --git a/neps/utils/run_args.py b/neps/utils/run_args.py
index 9d7f6445..2f8f224b 100644
--- a/neps/utils/run_args.py
+++ b/neps/utils/run_args.py
@@ -450,13 +450,13 @@ def check_essential_arguments(
     root_directory: str | None,
     pipeline_space: dict | None,
     max_cost_total: int | None,
-    max_evaluation_total: int | None,
+    max_evaluations_total: int | None,
     searcher: BaseOptimizer | dict | str | None,
 ) -> None:
     """Validates essential NePS configuration arguments.
 
     Ensures 'run_pipeline', 'root_directory', 'pipeline_space', and either
-    'max_cost_total' or 'max_evaluation_total' are provided for NePS execution.
+    'max_cost_total' or 'max_evaluations_total' are provided for NePS execution.
     Raises ValueError with missing argument details. Additionally, checks 'searcher'
     is a BaseOptimizer if 'pipeline_space' is absent.
 
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ def check_essential_arguments(
         root_directory (str): Directory path for data storage.
         pipeline_space: search space for this run.
         max_cost_total: Max allowed total cost for experiments.
-        max_evaluation_total: Max allowed evaluations.
+        max_evaluations_total: Max allowed evaluations.
         searcher: Optimizer for the configuration space.
 
     Raises:
@@ -480,9 +480,9 @@ def check_essential_arguments(
         # provide the search_space because it's the argument of the searcher.
         raise ValueError("'pipeline_space' is required but was not provided.")
 
-    if not max_evaluation_total and not max_cost_total:
+    if not max_evaluations_total and not max_cost_total:
         raise ValueError(
-            "'max_evaluation_total' or 'max_cost_total' is required but "
+            "'max_evaluations_total' or 'max_cost_total' is required but "
             "both were not provided."
         )
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 28b6d992..b68f5e5a 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -65,14 +65,7 @@ pyyaml = "^6"
 tensorboard = "^2"
 typing-extensions = "*"
 torchvision = ">=0.8.0"
-
-[tool.poetry.dependencies.ifbo]
-version = ">=0.3,<0.4"
-python = ">=3.10,<3.12"
-optional = true
-
-[tool.poetry.extras]
-ifbo = ["ifbo"]
+ifbo = ">=0.3.5"
 
 [tool.poetry.group.dev.dependencies]
 ruff = "^0.4"
@@ -282,7 +275,7 @@ markers = [
 filterwarnings = "ignore::DeprecationWarning:torch.utils.tensorboard.*:"
 
 [tool.mypy]
-python_version = "3.8"  # Match minimum supported version
+python_version = "3.10"  # Match minimum supported version
 packages = ["neps"]
 show_error_codes = true