I don't know who is feeding you these misconceptions wrt the FBI PCC. You are an American, from what I understand. Thing is: you are privileged class wrt CIC

Please go ahead with your live scan from any of the FBI listed channelers and you will most certainly have the report within 3-5 days. Now your spouse is not so lucky. He/She has to start the FBI report soon so as to not delay your application submission.
Your report is valid for one year. Look at the latest rounds of ITA invites. It went as low as 415 sometime this year. So I think you getting an ITA should be the least of your worries. The sooner you get your other stuff taken care of (Like Employer letters, personal copies of letters etc), the better.