Michael Breitenfeld

Siemer-Siegl-Füreder & Partner Attorneys at Law, Vienna, AUSTRIA

For many years now the primary focus of Dr. Michael Breitenfeld's practice has been public procurement law and the areas affiliated there with (general contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, construction law, competition law, EC law and the like). He counsels and represents both public authorities as well as the tendering companies. Energy supplying companies, states and municipalities, an Austrian airport, cultural institutions, a leading global technology concern as well as companies in such diverse industries as computer and electronics, telecommunication, medical technology, automobile, construction and office furniture are amongst his clients.

Dr. Breitenfeld counsels public authorities on the administration of tender offers and the development of procurement concepts. Amongst other things he contributed to the installation of an internet shopping platform for companies in the public utilities sector and the control thereof (e-public procurement).

One of his main focuses is devoted to the conception and realization of PPP-models, for instance in the area of water management and health services. Some of his other public procurement projects involve building permit contracts (hospitals), environmental projects (i.e. waste plants, hazardous waste removal) but also creative services or the capital investment of public funds.

Finally, Dr. Breitenfeld represents public authorities and tendering companies in proceedings before the Austrian State and Federal Procurement Review Board, before the Austrian Supreme Courts and the ECJ. In particular he represents a global technology concern on a permanent basis, i.e. in the first preliminary ruling by the ECJ involving Austrian procurement law ("Okopunkte" - Ecopoints-decision).

Further, Dr. Breitenfeld is a co-founder and board member of the Austrian Tender Club, a co-founder and editor of the first Austrian legal journal for procurement law - "Recht und Praxis der offentlichen Auftragsvergabe" (RPA - The Law and Practice of Public Procurement) and a member of the Austrian Comission of Jurists. He also regularly holds seminars and presentations on procurement law and is a member of the procurement law working group of the "Industriellenvereinigung" (Association of Entrepreneurs). Most recently, Dr. Breitenfeld was one of the main expert consultants involved in the drafting of the new "Bundesvergabegesetz" 2002 (Federal Procurement Law 2002).