Now price: The testing in a since is already paid for. The only thing that would need to be done is fire off the M197 before testing. Even if the company doing the MPI was not set up to shoot, i.e. has a range, it would be an easy fix. They would just need a
Bullet Box, a mounting fixture, and some one to pull the trigger. Then do an MPI test. It seems like it would be a cheap but very valuable tool for the testing company to possess. (In the long run) Now assuming Spike's has a place to shoot, all they would have to do is get the barrels and bolts sent to them, instead of straight to the testing company, fire off an M197 box'em up and send them out to test. In that scenario they would only be out the additional shipping. Still this doesn't add up to 2-300 Dollars more.
Now if Spike's was smart, they could set up the company with the tank, about the price of a new Spike's Tactical Wagon, and get a deal on there testing. This would be good for the industry, because the testing company then could offer it to the other manufactures, of course they would charge the other guys more. This would put Spike's in a pretty good position to continue to offer the prices they do.