What is this?
 

My 2018 2500HD High Country Duramax started making a ticking sound that is quite irregular but increases in speed with increase in RPM. I looked underneath the truck and found this piece between the cross-member under the engine and the skid plate. I'm not even sure the two are related but does anyone know what this is?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...b25860ecf9.jpghttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...420cfefb3f.jpghttps://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...13dcecac17.jpg