I loaded an existing save after enabling this, and didn't see any of the new stuff (I had modular armor but no bots - was hoping to see bots in my inventory). Using 0.16.
Looks like it does the same thing as Basic Starting Equipment, and will only give it to you during a new world creation. I see the same behavior as you - it didn't do anything for an in progress world. I did create a new test world; the armor is applied and the rest of the items are in my inventory.
