This seems a little confusing:
Does it ("Assembly: Includes ASICs, PCB based on the Klondike design, and necessary PCB components.") come with the PIC chip programed ?
Yes, the PIC chip will be programmed.
in the context of the OP saying
Fully assembled unit: Includes assembly of one Klondike K16 ASIC board and all DIY kit parts fully assembled.
Testing: Includes one fully assembled Klondike K16, firmware pre-installation, and stability testing.
Basically it makes me wonder what the firmware is that the Testing option will pre-install? Is there some firmware involved in these boards other than the programming of the PIC? Do we need some kind of firmware-programming kit or something to put firmware into something ourselves if you don't pre-install it? I just don't understand exactly what is involved, not even whether I would be able to make use of boards that do not have "firmware pre-installation" done on them by someone else (maybe someone who has special cables and such used to program bitstreams or something)?
-MarkM-
The firmware that will be installed is the firmware that bkkcoins the developer of these open source boards is creating.
.