The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Austria > Public procurement

A popular choice for contracting authorities, CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH has notable expertise in the construction, healthcare, TMT, transport and waste management sectors. Department head Bernt Elsner and his team are frequently involved in cross-border projects and collaborate with the firm's local procurement specialists throughout central, eastern and southern Europe. Elsner also represents clients in procurement litigation and has extensive knowledge of compliance issues in tender procedures. Thomas Hamerl stands out for his skill in infrastructure and energy projects, with additional industry experience in telecoms, transport and retail. Associate Ruth Bittner provides key support in relation to public-private partnerships, the award of concessions and international relations.

Schramm Öhler Rechtsanwälte is a popular choice for contracting authorities, including federal provinces, municipalities, public corporations, the European Commission and the federal government. The department, which operates out of St. Pölten in addition to the firm's headquarters in Vienna, has notable expertise representing clients in challenges brought by auditors and before the courts. Johannes Schramm is an expert in contract law as well as PPP; Matthias Öhler is a business law expert and also acts as a civil law mediator; Georg Zellhofer is a key name for IT procurement; and Gregor Stickler shines in matters with a construction or facility management aspect.

The sizeable team at Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwalte GmbH & CoKG lays claim to an impressive degree of specialisation. Three partners head the practice: the renowned Manfred Essletzbichler applies his international expertise to life science, telecoms, infrastructure, railway and energy work; Sebastian Oberzaucher advises primarily on project planning and implementation in connection with complex construction, supply and service tenders; and Silvia Fessl focuses on complex public services contracts, architectural competitions and general planning procedures. Counsel Philipp Marboe is noted for his familiarity with the public transport sector, often applying his knowledge to PPP railway projects.

DSC Doralt Seist Csoklich Rechtsanwälte GmbH is primarily instructed by contracting authorities to organise and handle public procurement procedures. The structuring and implementation of award procedures as well as the drafting of tender documents and contracts are the practice's strong suits. Oliver Sturm and his team guide navigate bidding parties through award processes and contract negotiations. The group is also well equipped to represent clients in public procurement review procedures. Key support is provided by associate Dominik Zimm, who advises both contracting authorities and tenderers.

The public procurement group at Eisenberger & Herzog acts for public contracting entities and bidders, particularly on industrial infrastructure, complex services, energy and utilities. The team's service offering is enhanced by its collaboration with the firm's real estate practice, for instance in matters concerning PPP projects. Department co-head Ulrike Sehrschön is involved in tender proceedings, acting for contracting authorities and bidders in regulated sectors including infrastructure, energy and healthcare. Fellow co-head Wilhelm Offenbeck is based in Graz and regularly assists publicly owned awarding authorities with large-scale procurements.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners advises hospital and healthcare sector clients as well as architects and civil engineering companies on real estate developments and infrastructure projects relating to public procurement. Rudolf Christian Pekar is able to draw on his experience in real estate and planning law to assist with public procurement matters, including assisting with real estate development transactions and public private partnership projects. Michael Hecht has environmental and construction law expertise.

Cerha Hempel has recently shifted its focus from assisting contracting authorities to primarily acting for the bidding side, including handling self-purification and bid rigging. Georg Konrad specialises in infrastructure and technology projects; Stefan Huber is a key name in the field of higher education procurement; and Michaela Siegwart, who was promoted to partner in 2019, has experience of utilities procurement. The trio jointly head the practice.

Saxinger, Chalupsky & Partners (SCWP Schindhelm) has a strong market position in Upper Austria, advising a number of public authorities and local operators in the region. Team head Hanno Liebmann advises contracting authorities and contractors on all phases of public procurement procedures; his knowledge of construction and contract law matters is another strength. The group has notable sector expertise in transport and infrastructure.

The public procurement department at Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) acts alongside the firm's real estate, IP and corporate practitioners to advise a broad range of clients from sectors including life sciences, gaming and export-oriented industries. The team, which is led by Johannes Stalzer, assists with tender documentation and public procurement proceedings, related legal opinions as well as representation before public inquiries and appeal authorities.

In collaboration with the firm's M&A and corporate practice, Binder Grösswang handles public procurement issues including the scope of exemptions from the law, the design of legally compliant bidding consortia and subcontracting relationships with competitors. Johannes Barbist and his team also advise bidders on tender documentation, bid preparation and the administration of awarded contracts. Industry expertise spans from machinery and financial services to healthcare technology and commercial service.

DORDA Rechtsanwaelte GmbH's public procurement team has a core focus on the life science and healthcare sectors, advising pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers as well as private hospital operators. Bernhard Müller stands out for his specific knowledge of tender proceedings for hospital information systems, radiological information systems and radiological image storage and archiving systems. In addition, the department is active in the field of defence and security, particularly cyber security.