Since 21 November 1953, a federal regulation has governed the prices of public contracts in Germany. It is called Verordnung PR Nr. 30/53. Its first rule is that market prices come first. Where no market price can be established, or where competition among suppliers is restricted, the state and the supplier may agree a cost-based price, a Selbstkostenpreis. Such a price must be based on the supplier’s appropriate costs. An annex sets out how to find them, the Leitsätze für die Preisermittlung auf Grund von Selbstkosten. Its chapters list the parts of the price one by one: materials, wages and other personnel costs, depreciation, interest, risks, and finally a calculated profit. The price authorities of the states may audit the price and inspect the supplier’s documents. A revised version took effect on 1 April 2022.