What is this part (part of purge valve assembly)?

Hey y'all,

2012 Ford Focus 2.0 ( Part# BV6Z-9D289-R)

Anybody know what this part is (it is the part that this guy is actually holding, not the valve), and is it necessary (I am guessing not)?  Weird thing is, all the replacement assemblies I have found on the internet (including OEM) do not have this attached.  Is it some kind of filter or something, ha?  See image below.

Thanks a bunch!

Could be a filter or collection chamber to catch potential charcoal debris from the canister. I wouldn't loose any sleep if I had to put one back together without it, assuming it still passes the EVAP monitor.

Thanks. I guess I can always swap it over.