#VCF9 documentation was recently updated to help clarify that VCF Automation (VCFA) is an optional component as part of Day-0 & can be deployed as Day-N (optional). Regardless of VCFA being deployed, you will always have ability to deploy VKS workloads!

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vcf/vcf-9-0-and-later/9-0/deployment/deploying-a-new-vmware-cloud-foundation-or-vmware-vsphere-foundation-private-cloud-/deploy-a-new-vcf-fleet-or-a-new-vcf-instance.html#:~:text=VCF%20Installer%20allows%20you%20to%20skip%20VCF%20Automation