This is the first in a series of briefs addressing market rate surveys. While CCDF regulations allow Lead Agencies to use alternative methodologies to set payment rates, these briefs will focus solely on traditional market rate surveys. This brief includes: 1) the regulatory requirements for conducting a market rate survey, 2) the importance between prices charged and actual costs associated with providing care, and 3) proposed steps for planning the survey. Subsequent market rate survey briefs will address data sources, designing and conducting the survey, analyzing the results, and reporting and using survey results. (author abstract)