Attachment J2 - My Talking Books (RealSAM) Components.docx

This is an attachment outlining the technical components and service architecture for the My Talking Books (RealSAM) Smart Speaker project operated by the Library of Congress. The project integrates multiple managed services and vendor-provided components to deliver an Alexa-enabled audiobook platform. The Library of Congress provides and manages the BARD Login Authentication service (OAuth 2.0-based) and the core BARD service, which supplies user data, catalog information, and audiobook content. Amazon Alexa provides the platform infrastructure for managing Alexa-enabled smart speakers, while the vendor delivers the My Talking Books Skill—an Amazon Alexa Skill enabling users to manage BARD Wishlist, discover catalog content, and stream audiobooks.

The vendor (RealThing Services) is responsible for managing the RealSAM Dialog Engine infrastructure, which includes the Dialog Engine Server, License Management system, Data Services, Authentication Proxy, Webhooks, Streaming Servers, and Bridge Server. Additional services include AWS Amazon Services and Load Balancer infrastructure, with monitoring integration provided through Sentry.io. This sole-source procurement (Solicitation Number 2027-NLS-0066) is justified through a previously posted and signed Justification and Authorization (J&A) and is not open for competition. The solicitation specifically addresses RealSAM Dialog licenses and associated services necessary to operate the production system while meeting all IT information-security requirements mandated by the Library of Congress.